Semua Bab No Longer Their Daughter: Bab 1 - Bab 10

I clutched the towel but didn't wipe my face, letting rainwater mix with blood and drip onto the floor."Mom, I was kidnapped for three days."My mother's eyes flickered. "I know, but your dad was thinking about the bigger picture. You know the Howes can't bow to criminals."The crowd parted as my father, Nelson, walked over, a glass of red wine in his hand.He looked me up and down without asking about my injuries, his face dark as a storm about to break."Why did the kidnappers let you go?"The question echoed through the hall."They got what they wanted," I said flatly.Nelson's pupils shrank. He assumed I had paid a ransom, and his anger flared instantly. "Who told you to give them money? I said no ransom, for justice! Did you agree to something you shouldn't have?"His gaze slid over my torn clothes, his voice rising and sharp with malice. "Or did you let them sleep with you just to stay alive? The Howes can't afford that kind of shame."Whispers rippled through the gues

"He knows how to take care of a woman?" I looked up at my mother, my gaze sharp as a blade. "Mr. Schultz is three years older than Dad. His ex-wife jumped off a building last month. And you seriously think I should count my lucky stars?""Watch your tone!" my mother snapped.Lilith suddenly pulled out a thick notebook, putting on a show of pleading on my behalf. "Mom, Dad, Alexis has had it hard, too. You shouldn't push her. Alexis, everything you've spent since you were little is written in here. Seven hundred and sixty thousand dollars. I kept track of every cent for you."She flipped the notebook open, displaying the so-called debts.They included elementary school tuition and medicine when I was sick. Even the household utility bills were split per person and charged to me."See? It wasn't easy for Mom and Dad to raise you."My mother jumped in without hesitation. "The debt of giving birth and raising you is greater than anything! The money we spent on you is more than enou

The car door shut, sealing off the noise of the crowd and the pounding rain outside.The interior smelled faintly of cedar, mixed with the sharp scent of blood clinging to me.The man in the driver's seat handed me a warm towel. The motion was practiced, as if he had done this countless times before."Mason?" I turned to look at him, my voice rough.Mason Tucker was Evermont's most elusive investor. He was ruthless, untouchable, and the Howes' sworn enemy.In my last life, I had died on the street. My body rotted before anyone claimed it. He had arranged my burial and left a white chrysanthemum at my grave."Hey." Mason didn't look at me. His eyes stayed fixed on the rain ahead, knuckles pale against the steering wheel. "I was still too late."His gaze flicked to my left hand, which was missing a finger. A flash of murderous intent crossed his eyes."Go to the care facility," I said. There was no time to catch up. "Now that Nelson's been arrested, his people will go after my gr

"No… That's impossible!" My mother's face went deathly pale as she whipped around to stare at Lilith.Lilith's eyes darted away. She stumbled back in panic. "Mom, don't listen to her! She's lying because she's jealous! I'm your daughter!""You knew?" My mother rushed over and grabbed Lilith by the shoulders. "Didn't you always say you remembered things from when you were little?""I… I…" Lilith stammered, unable to finish a sentence."Of course, she knew," I cut in calmly. "The maid told her before she died. That's why she's been pretending to be sick and fighting for attention all these years. She was terrified her background would come out. Mom, you drove your real daughter to death for a maid's kid, and you were ready to hand her the entire family fortune. That's quite the bargain."Smack!My mother finally snapped and slapped Lilith hard across the face."You liar! You fake! I gave you everything! I even sacrificed Alexis's finger for you! Give me my family back. Give me my

My mother didn't dare ring the doorbell. She crouched at the entrance instead, shaking from the cold.When Mason's car pulled in, the headlights swept over her.She looked up. The face that had once been carefully maintained was now covered in frostbite and grime.When she saw me step out of the passenger seat, her eyes lit up. She struggled forward on her knees."Alexis… Alexis… I was wrong. I'm really sorry…" She clutched at my pant leg, tears and snot running down her face. "Can you give me something to eat? I'm not picky. Leftovers are fine. I'm so cold…"I looked down at her.This was the mother who, in my last life, made me use the side entrance because she was afraid I would dirty the carpet after being kidnapped.This was the mother who priced my entire life at 760 thousand dollars.In that moment, the last trace of anger left in my chest vanished. All that remained was pity."Mason," I said quietly."Yeah?" Mason stood beside me, holding an umbrella."Give her 50 bu