Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Fractured Lies

I stared at the text until the words blurred.

The money’s gone.

My mother’s hospital account—every cent of that blood-stained two million—was wiped clean. Serena hadn’t just threatened me. She had struck.

My hands wouldn’t stop shaking as I showed Damien the message. He read it once, jaw tightening, then called his head of security with a voice so cold it could freeze fire.

“Find out exactly what she did. Now.”

I paced the penthouse living room, barefoot on the marble floors, still wearing the emerald dress from the gala. It felt tainted now. Everything did. “She’s punishing Mom to punish me. Mom doesn’t even know the full truth—she still thinks I’m the villain who stole Serena’s life.”

Damien caught me mid-step, pulling me against his chest. His heartbeat was steady, a solid anchor while mine raced out of control. “She’s desperate. Desperate people make mistakes. I’ll transfer new funds tonight. Your mother won’t miss a single treatment.”

I wanted to believe him. God, I wanted to. But Serena had always been two steps ahead. Growing up, she’d taken credit for my art projects, turned my friends against me, and smiled while doing it. This was the same game—just with billions and a billionaire husband on the line.

Hours later, we were in Damien’s home office when the next blow landed.

His private investigator burst in without knocking, face pale. “Sir. It’s worse than we thought. Serena didn’t just drain the account. She transferred the funds into a shell company… then leaked documents to the press. They’re already running the story.”

Damien’s expression darkened. “What documents?”

The investigator hesitated, glancing at me. “Proof of the bribe. The original contract. Bank records showing Lila accepted two million to impersonate her sister. They’re framing it as a calculated gold-digging scheme by both Hart sisters, with Lila as the mastermind who seduced you to keep the money. It’s everywhere. Social media is exploding.”

My stomach dropped.

I grabbed my phone. Headlines screamed across the screen:

“Billionaire’s Bride Swap Scandal: The Hart Sisters’ Dirty Bribe”

“Who Is Lila Hart? The Woman Who Stole Serena’s Ring and Fortune”

Comments flooded in below—vicious, cruel, relentless.

Gold-digging whore.

Family traitor.

Damien Voss deserves better.

One post from a verified account (clearly connected to Serena’s circle) had photos: me signing the contract, grainy shots of us at the wedding, even a blurred image of Damien carrying me into the elevator at the gala.

I felt sick.

“They’re destroying me,” I whispered. “And Mom… if she sees this…”

Damien was already moving, barking orders into his phone—lawyers, PR team, damage control. But even he couldn’t stop the wave once it started.

Then my phone rang. Mom.

I answered on speaker, dread pooling in my veins.

“Lila.” Her voice cracked with exhaustion and fury. “How could you? The hospital just called. The account is empty and now this mess is all over the news. Serena told me everything. You planned this from the beginning. You ruined your sister’s future for money and a rich man. I never want to see you again. You’re no daughter of mine.”

The line went dead.

I sank onto the couch, numb. Damien knelt in front of me, cupping my face. “We’ll fix this. I’ll release a statement. I’ll—”

A sharp knock at the penthouse door interrupted him. His security head entered, looking grim. “Sir, there’s a problem downstairs. Serena is here with police. She’s claiming Lila forged the documents and stole the money. They have a warrant to search the premises… and to question Mrs. Voss.”

Mrs. Voss. Me.

Damien stood, every inch the ruthless billionaire. “They’re not taking her anywhere.”

But as he moved toward the door, my phone buzzed again. Another unknown number. This time, a video attachment.

I opened it with trembling fingers.

The footage was dark but clear enough: Serena sitting in a dimly lit room, speaking directly to the camera.

“If you’re watching this, Lila, it means you’ve pushed me too far. The money was just the start. I have proof of something much worse—something that will send you to prison and make Damien drop you like the trash you are. Come alone to the old family lake house at midnight. Or this video goes public… and your new husband learns exactly what kind of liar he married.”

The video ended.

Damien was still arguing with security in the hallway. He hadn’t seen it.

Midnight was less than two hours away.

And I had no idea what Serena was holding over me… or how far I was willing to go to protect the fragile thing growing between Damien and me.

I slipped my phone into my clutch, heart hammering.

One way or another, tonight everything would shatter.