04

Olivia's POV

The moment David's car disappeared from view, Marcus yanked me out of where he'd shoved me. My ankle throbbed as I stumbled forward, nearly falling.

"Did you really think you could leave with him?" Marcus growled, his fingers digging into my arm.

Tears welled in my eyes but I blinked them back. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

Natalie rushed over, her fake smile plastered on her face. "Why so serious, Olivia? We were just playing with you! It was just a bit of fun."

"Fun?" My voice trembled. "You pushed me off a balcony and maybe tried to drug me!"

Victoria appeared next to Natalie, arms crossed. "You shouldn't take everything so personally. God, you've always been such a drama queen."

They forced me back into the hotel, Natalie gripping one arm, Marcus the other. People stared as we passed through the lobby, but no one stepped in. To them, we probably looked like friends helping a drunk woman.

Once we reached a private lounge area, Marcus checked his watch. "I need to take care of something. Don't let her leave." He glanced at Victoria and Natalie before walking away.

The moment he disappeared, their fake smiles vanished.

"You think you're so special, don't you?" Victoria sneered, leaning in close. "Marcus never loved you. You were just convenient."

The words cut deeper than I wanted to admit. "You don't know anything about our marriage."

Natalie laughed, the sound like broken glass. "We know everything. Marcus tells Sophia everything. How you bore him. How he married you for your family connections."

"That's not true." But my voice lacked conviction even to my own ears.

"Poor little Olivia," Victoria taunted. "Always thinking you belong when you never did. Not in our family, not with Marcus."

My chest tightened. "You're my sister."

"Adopted sister," Victoria corrected, her eyes cold. "And the biggest mistake my parents ever made."

Each word was like a knife in my heart. All those years I'd tried to make her like me, to feel like part of the family, everything wasted.

"Marcus is filing for divorce next week," Natalie added, examining her manicured nails. "He and Sophia are planning to announce their engagement as soon as it's finalized."

I felt dizzy, the room spinning slightly. Was it the emotional bombardment or something else?

Victoria suddenly looked thirsty. "I need a drink," she announced, looking around.

She waved over a waiter, and I felt a flicker of hope. If they hadn't ordered the drinks, maybe I could safely drink something without worrying about being drugged again.

"I'll have a sealed bottle of water," Victoria told the waiter.

While she was distracted, Natalie leaned closer to me. "You know what's the saddest part? Marcus was starting to actually care for you before Sophia came back. Bad timing, I guess."

The waiter returned with a sealed bottle. Victoria twisted it open, the seal breaking with a crack that seemed too loud in the quiet lounge.

I couldn't stop staring at the bottle as Victoria took a sip. My throat felt painfully dry.

"Would you like some?" Victoria offered, her voice suddenly sweet. Too sweet.

I hesitated but my thirst won out. "Yes, please."

Natalie and Victoria exchanged glances as I took the bottle.

"To failed marriages," Victoria toasted as I drank deeply.

The water tasted normal, but within minutes, a strange warmth spread through my limbs. The room began to tilt.

"What did you..." My words slurred. "Did you drug the bottle before the waiter brought it?"

Victoria's smile widened. "So smart, yet so stupid."

"We've been planning this for months," Natalie said, her voice sounding distant now. "Ever since Sophia came back."

I tried to stand but my legs wouldn't cooperate. "Why?"

"Because you have everything we want," Victoria hissed. "The company shares, Marcus's name, our parents' love."

The room spun faster. I needed to get away.

"I... need to use the bathroom," I mumbled, forcing myself to my feet.

They exchanged looks before Natalie nodded. "Don't be long. The fun's just starting."

I staggered to the bathroom, clinging to walls for support. Inside, I splashed cold water on my face, but it didn't help. My reflection showed two of me, both terrified.

"I need to call David," I whispered, fumbling for my phone.

Suddenly, the lights in the bathroom went out. Complete darkness covered me.

"Hello?" My voice echoed against the bathroom tiles. "Is anyone there?"

Panic surged through me. I fumbled for my phone, turning on the flashlight with trembling fingers.

The light caught movement. Two figure in black masks stood by the door, blocking my exit. The light glinted off something metallic in their hands, very sharp daggers.

"Please," I begged, backing up until I hit the wall. "Whatever they're paying you, I'll double it."

They didn't speak. One stepped forward, the blade catching the light from my phone.

"I have money," I pleaded, my voice breaking. "I have a company. Please don't do this."

My limbs felt like lead, the drug making it impossible to fight back or run. The masked figure pushed me, and I collapsed to the floor.

"Please," I sobbed. "I don't want to die."

The tallest among them crouched beside me, knife raised. "Say your last prayer," she whispered.

I closed my eyes, tears streaming down my face. Images flashed through my mind, my parents, David's concerned face, even Marcus before everything went wrong.

The dagger descended toward my neck. The bathroom door burst open with a deafening crash….