Vikki’s POV
I was caught by the rocky ledge beneath the cliff, and only rescued the next morning by some fishermen who happened to pass by.
By then, I was covered in blood, and pain shot through every bone in my body.
When I woke up, I rushed home as fast as I could. I had to grab all my documents and leave.
Under the blazing sun, I walked for three straight hours until I finally reached the front gate—only to freeze in shock.
The villa was hosting a wild celebration. A huge banner hung across the courtyard with striking words printed on it.
[Congratulations to Vikki Presnell on the First Day of Her Eternal Life!]
Eternal life?!
I had been forced off a cliff, my life or death uncertain, and they were calling it eternal life?!
Fuming, I shoved the door open. Everyone turned toward me in shock.
“What’s this? Eternal life? Funny, I didn’t get the memo,” I snapped sarcastically.
The moment Gerard saw me, there was a flicker of surprise in his eyes. But it was quickly swallowed by anger.
“Jack said you were dead! Vikki, do you think it’s fun to scare people like this? Do you have any idea? Tessa was so worried last night she barely slept!”
Pain burned through my body, but I still couldn’t stop the bitter laugh curling at my lips. Then, my hand came down hard across his face.
“You’ve got some nerve. Your wife’s missing and possibly dead, and you’re off having fun with your so-called sister!”
“And you—” I turned and slapped Tessa, too. “Was the last punishment not enough for you?”
Her delicate face quickly turned bright red, a trickle of blood appearing at the corner of her mouth.
“You hit my mommy! You hit my mommy!”
Acee came charging at me, pounding my leg with his fists right where I was injured. Blood quickly seeped through my bandages as I tried to step back.
But the boy stumbled and hit the corner of the table. His forehead split open, blood streaming down as his cries pierced the room.
“Mommy! It hurts!”
A shrill voice shouted, “You wretched woman! How dare you hurt my child! Gerard, look at her!”
Veins popped along Gerard’s temple. He shoved me hard toward the door.
“Looks like Jack went easy on you when he taught you a lesson. He said you fell off a cliff—what, was this your little stunt for attention?”
I staggered, barely staying on my feet, my tone sharp as glass.
“So that’s why you threw me a party? Was this grand celebration held to honor my supposed immortality?!”
He didn’t answer. He just scooped up the boy and rushed to the hospital with Tessa, who gave me a smug little smirk before walking out.
As the guests scattered and the laughter died, I stood in the wreckage, shaking, when my phone rang.
“What? My mom’s in the ER?!”
I’d led the danger away from her. How could she still have been hurt?
I ran straight to the hospital, but the moment I arrived, two bodyguards blocked my way.
“Sorry, ma’am. The CEO ordered us not to let you in. Please understand it’s our job.”
Tears streamed down my face as I begged in desperation.
“Please, I’m begging you! Let me in! My mom’s in the ER! She’s waiting for me!”
My forehead slammed against the wall as I pleaded, but they remained cold and unmoved.
Over the phone, the doctor issued one critical notice after another.
I knew Gerard was there somewhere, so I shouted at the top of my lungs.
“Gerard! Let me see my mom one last time! I swear I’ll never bother you again! Forget your stupid tests! I’ll leave you for good!”
It was nearly dusk when he finally showed up.
“Fine,” he said flatly. “You can see Acee, but don’t you dare hurt him again. And stop using your mother as an excuse. That fake five-million-debt story? It’s pathetic.”
I didn’t even hear the rest. Just moments earlier, I’d received a call from the hospital—the death notice.
“We regret to inform you that despite all efforts, your mother failed to respond to resuscitation and has passed away. Please proceed to the morgue to confirm the identity of the deceased. Our deepest condolences.”
