That night, I found myself heading to the hospital. I had to see Lorde. My heart was racing with so many questions. What was happening? Why wasn't anyone answering my calls?
But as I reached his hospital room, a guard blocked my way.
"Ma'am, you're not allowed in here," he said, his tone firm.
"E-Excuse me?" I snapped, my voice trembling. "I'm his wife. I have every right to see him!"
Before I could argue further, the door opened, and out stepped Venus. She looked calm, too calm for someone who was supposed to be grieving. My anger boiled over. Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped her.
"Do yo plan this bitch, huh? H-How could you?"
She pointed at me. Her expression suddenly changed. "Y-You! You're the reason this happened!" she shouted unexpectedly. "If you hadn't - if you hadn't see me slept with him - none of this would've happened! I-It was just a dare and you took serious—"
I barely flinched. Instead, I gritted my teeth, trying to resist the anger boiling inside me.
"Oh, V-Venus," I said, my voice dripping with curiosity. "W-What are you talking about? Stop this nonsense! You have no idea what you're talking about."
I wanted to scream, to pull her hair, to make her feel even a fraction of the pain I was carrying. But then, from the corner of the hallway, a booming voice cut through the air.
"Jillian!"
It was Don Emillion, Lorde's father. His heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor as he marched toward me. The moment he reached me, he slapped me across the face. Hard.
"How dare you show your face here!" he roared. "You tried to kill my son, MY ONLY SON!!"
My mind went blank. "W-What? No! I would never—"
"Silence!" he barked. His face was a twisted mix of rage and grief. "You brought nothing but trouble into our lives. You're cursed, Jillian. Cursed!"
I couldn't breathe. His words cut deeper than I thought possible. My hands trembled as I clutched my chest, trying to hold myself together. Then, just like that, he turned his back on me and ordered the guards to escort me out.
Venus watched the entire scene unfold, her arms crossed and a victorious smirk plastered on her face. I HATED HER. She freaking brainwashed Don Emillion for what? To fucking get his trust?
I hated everything about her.
When I got home, I couldn't hold it in anymore. I grabbed the picture frame of Lorde and me - the one from happier times - and hurled it against the wall. The glass shattered, just like my heart.
Days passed. Each one felt heavier than the last. I packed my things, determined to leave the house before the memories could suffocate me any further. But as I walked past Lorde's office, something caught my eye. The door was slightly ajar.
Curiosity got the better of me, so I peeked inside. What I saw made my blood run cold.
Venus. She was rummaging through Lorde's desk drawers, her movements quick and desperate.
"What the hell are you doing?!" I demanded, barging in.
Venus froze for a moment, but then she straightened up, her usual smugness returning. "Just looking for something," she said casually, as if it was her office.
"You have no right to be here," I hissed. "I'm telling Don Emillion about this!"
I turned to leave, but before I could take a step, a shadow loomed behind me. When I turned back, my heart sank.
A man stood there - tall, broad, and terrifying. His face was partially burned, the scars twisting his features into something straight out of a nightmare.
"Who—" I started, but Venus interrupted me with a laugh.
"Oh, Jillian," she said mockingly. "Meet Darius McIllano."
Before I could process what was happening, Darius lunged forward, pressing a cloth against my face. A sickly sweet smell filled my nose, and the world around me faded to black.
When I opened my eyes, I was tied to a chair in a dimly lit room. My head throbbed, and my arms felt like lead. Venus stood a few feet away, her arms crossed as usual, while Darius loomed beside her.
"Well, look who's awake," Venus said, smirking.
"What…what is this?" I croaked.
Darius stepped forward, his voice low and menacing. "Where are the documents?"
"W-What documents?" I asked, genuinely confused.
"The ones proving Lorde put me in prison," he growled. "I know they're here somewhere."
"I-I don't know what you're talking about," I said, my voice shaking.
Darius didn't like that answer. He grabbed a wet cloth and pressed it over my face, making it hard to breathe.
"S-Sto—!" I gasped when he finally pulled it away. "I swear, I don't know anything!"
"Liar!" he spat.
Venus watched the entire scene with a satisfied smile, as if she was enjoying my suffering.
"You won't get away with this," I said, glaring at her. "Don E-Emillion will find out."
At that, Venus laughed - a cold, chilling laugh that sent shivers down my spine.
"Oh, Jillian," she said. "You still don't get it, do you?"
"Get w-what?" I demanded.
She leaned in close, her eyes glinting with malice. "Darius isn't just some ex-convict. He's Don Emillion's illegitimate son. And he's here to take back what's rightfully his."
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I stared at her, my mind racing. If what she said was true, then everything I thought I knew about Lorde's family was a lie.
Before I could say anything else, Darius grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.
"You're going to tell us what we need to know," he said, his voice dripping with venom. "Or I'll make sure you never see the light of day again."
