Semua Bab Betrayal Buried the Wrong Woman: Bab 1 - Bab 8

The pain crashed into me like a tidal wave. I felt hollow, like the wounds had torn right through me, leaving nothing but air.Instinctively, I clutched my stomach, and somehow, everything around me sharpened. A low buzzing filled my ears.It was my phone, rattling violently against the table. Teresa Hawke's name flashed on the screen.I was back, reborn into the very day she'd screamed for help. I picked up, and the same words from my past life came rushing back."Val, the house is on fire! I'm trapped! You have to come now—"The line went dead before Teresa could finish.All I got from Asher Jensen was that same sneer."Knock it off. Leave my mom out of whatever game you're playing. Seriously, what did you say to mess with her head like that? Today's a big day for Mel. She finally learned to ride a bike. I'm heading out, so don't stir up any drama while I'm gone."To everyone else, my marriage to Asher looked like a perfect match, like something out of a fairy tale. I thought

Oliver finally got through to Asher, only to hear Melanie's voice instead."Oliver, what's taking you so long to stop Valerie? Don't tell me you got lost," she teased, her syrupy laugh curling through the line. "Everyone's waiting, you know.""Put Asher on, Melanie. Something might've happened with his family," Oliver said quickly.Melanie scoffed."Oh, come on. Not you too. How much did Valerie pay you? I'll have Ash double it."Oliver's voice shook with urgency. "Quit screwing around. Put Asher on."There was a pause. Then Asher picked up."Oliver, did Valerie get in your head, too? Now you're part of her little circus? Knock it off and get back here. Mel's waiting for you."He hung up. The sharp tone of disconnection buzzed in the silence.Oliver lifted his eyes to me, his face drawn with worry.I gave a dry smile, then hit the gas, tearing down the road toward the villa. The rest of the drive was wrapped in tense silence.Flames were already tearing through the villa by

When I arrived home, I noticed the lights were still on. One look at the garage told me Asher was back early, and I could hear voices coming from inside.The moment I opened the door, a blast of strong perfume hit me. Then I looked down. A pair of high heels sat neatly on the doormat.Melanie was sprawled out on the couch in the living room, wearing my silk nightgown. The moment she heard the door open, she straightened up slightly, a flash of surprise crossing her face.I gave her a slow once-over, my tone cold. "Do you really have to take everything that's mine? Even my nightgown?"Her face crumpled. She glanced at Asher, who'd just stepped out of the kitchen, her teeth sinking into her lip, eyes glassy with unshed tears.Asher could never resist that look. He walked straight toward me, positioning himself between us like he was her shield."Valerie, Mel's drunk, so I brought her home. If you've got a problem with that, take it up with me. Yeah, I ignored your calls today, but

Eric pushed himself up slowly, then staggered over to Teresa's portrait and sank to his knees, his apologies spilling out in a flood."Teresa, I failed you. I shouldn't have been drinking that night. I shouldn't have fallen for Ash's bullshit about you just faking it. You died in agony because of me! It's all my fault. If I'd gone to save you, would you still be alive?"His eyes were bloodshot from crying as he suddenly jabbed a finger at Melanie, his voice raw with fury as he launched into a fierce tirade."It's all because of her! Ash, Teresa never wanted you two together. I said from the start that forcing a relationship with her would only bring trouble. And now look at what's happened."If Teresa had agreed to your relationship, she'd have died even worse than this. She hasn't even been gone a full day, and Melanie's already sniffing around her estate? She's not even human!"Melanie recoiled behind Asher, biting her lip as tears welled up in her eyes."Ash, how can Eric say