Lahat ng Kabanata ng DARLA FIN:THE HEIRESS'S WICKED REBIRTH: Kabanata 141 - Kabanata 150

Melanie's POVI rolled over in bed, reaching out for the other side, but it was empty, chilly, unbroken.Richard hadn't come home last night. Again. The hollow beside me felt heavier than the quilt wrapped around my ankles. I lay there staring at the ceiling for a while, my heart tightening. It was a lonely night, but I wasn't going to indulge.My phone rang on the nightstand. I reached over to grab it, hoping it was Richard. But when I looked at the screen, I sighed in irritation. Sam.I hit the talk button anyway. "Morning, Sam.""Morning, sunshine," he said, that infuriating teasing tone.I rubbed my temples. "What do you want?"He chuckled softly. "Just calling to check in and make sure my favorite actress is still breathing.""I'm fine," I growled. "Just tired. Not up for pet talk.""Tough night?" he asked, and I could hear the smile in his voice."Something like that." I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how badly things were screwed up."Come on, tell me. Did

Melanie's POVThe air was heavy and still, but not calm, as I walked up to the house. Like just before a storm."Okay, Richard," I murmured to myself. "Let's see if we can finally end this battle at last."I took hold of the door handle and one final deep breath before opening the door and bracing myself to deal with whatever mood I would meet on the other side.As I stepped into the house, it was too quiet. The kind of silence that made every small sound magnify.I put my bag on the console and glanced about the living room, hoping to catch Richard in some corner, maybe reading, maybe performing an act of not seeing me.But he wasn't there.I frowned, gazing in the direction of the kitchen. One of the maids appeared, her voice soft. "Good morning, ma'am. Mr. Richard is upstairs."Of course, he was.I smoothed my dress, took a deep breath, and headed towards the stairs. With every step, it felt heavier than the previous one.I didn't know what sort of mood I was going to find him in a

Darla's POVXavier took me to a chair in the front. We sat quietly as the service began, the soft voice of the pastor carrying across the hall.I tried to focus on his words, but my mind kept drifting. Thoughts flooded me, Elise laughing during rehearsals, teasing me about my coffee habit, whispering gossip between shots. She was always so full of life. And now. dead.For a second, I felt Xavier's hand brush against mine, a silent comfort. I did not pull away this time. Maybe I needed it, though I would not verbalize that.The ceremony continued, speeches, hymns, silent tears. I saw Melanie in the hallway, sitting beside Richard. For one fleeting moment, our eyes met. She quickly looked away and pretended she hadn't noticed me. I let out a low sigh and turned my attention back to the altar.Once the ceremony was over, people began to rise, some going outside for the burial. I sat for an additional moment, just staring at Elise's picture."Ready?" Xavier whispered."Yeah," I murmured,

Darla's POVXavier glanced at me again, his gaze easing. "Good. Because he doesn't deserve to rattle you anymore."He finished the turn in the vehicle as we hit the intersection, the soft click of the turn signal filling the quiet."You're stronger now, Darla," he stated. "I can tell. The way you move, serene, poised. That's something no man should ever get a chance to break again."His words reassured me in a strange way. I smiled and said, "You talk like you've known me my whole life."He chuckled. "Maybe I just listen."The car crept to a crawl under a red light. For a moment, we were both silent, the warm sun shining through the windshield.Then Xavier broke in, "You know… if you ever do steal someone's opportunity, make sure that you steal it with someone who'll appreciate you. Not only your presence, but your peace of mind as well."I rotated my head a little, regarding him. "Someone like you?"He smiled without looking my way. "I didn't say that.""But you were going to think i

Darla's POVAfter Jace mentioned the new project, my curiosity was piqued, but something in his tone kept me on edge. He sounded excited, almost too excited—like a man who knew more than he was willing to share.“So, Darla,” he said after a brief pause, “you should really think about getting in on this new project. From what I’ve heard, they’re already shortlisting actresses for the lead role.”I leaned back on my bed, twisting a strand of hair between my fingers. “And what makes you so sure I’d even be interested?”He chuckled softly. “Because I know you. You don’t like sitting on the sidelines. You like the spotlight, and this—this could be your big one, bigger than Sinclair. If you play your cards right, this role could define your entire career.”“Define, or destroy?” I murmured quietly, though he didn’t seem to catch that.“Listen, Darla,” he continued, his voice taking on that persuasive edge he always used when trying to win an argument. “You’ve got the face, the experience, an