The plaster cast didn't just break—it crumbled, scattering white dust across the floor. Beneath it, my unhealed wounds tore open, fresh blood seeping through my clothes.
The people before me looked right through the gore.
Tiffany's voice, usually sweet, was now a serrated blade. "How can you be my mom when you're this vicious? All my classmates laugh at me. They say I have a monster for a mother. You're a disgrace!"
Adam didn't look at my bleeding leg. His gaze was fixed on my face, burning with disgust. "If you won't apologize, fine. But hurting Lola? Since when did you become such a rabid psycho?"
They flanked Lola, supporting her as if she were made of glass. The three of them looked like a perfect family portrait.
I was the one cheated on. Framed. Broken. Humiliated. Yet somehow, the arrow of guilt pointed at my chest.
Only after his tirade did Adam notice—my face drained white, my clothes dark with blood.
He stiffened, then moved to lift me back onto the bed.
Lola's hand shot out, grabbing his waist. She buried her face in his chest, eyes glistening. "Adam, didn't you promise to take me ring shopping? Please, let Layla come with us to choose one. You know you're clumsy with these things."
Adam glanced at me, then at the blood dripping onto the floor. He hesitated. "But she's injured. Maybe—"
"I'll go." I forced a smile that felt foreign on my face.
They both froze.
Adam's brow furrowed. "What game are you playing? Don't think I don't know you're just looking for another chance to bully Lola."
The smile stayed fixed. Inside, my heart turned to ice.
His first thought wasn't that I was bleeding out. It was that I—the cripple—might somehow hurt his precious mistress.
He dropped me onto the bed with zero tenderness, the impact jarring my spine, and turned to leave.
But Lola tugged his sleeve. "Adam, she doesn't look that sick. Let her come. If I'm in danger, I'll just scream for you."
I didn't even have a cane. I had to drag my shattered leg to the car.
Before we started the engine, I held out my hand. "Adam, let me see your phone."
Confusion flickered across his face, but he handed it over.
He hadn't changed the password. Still my birthday.
My fingers flew across the screen—locating his private files, attaching them to an email, hitting send. The moment the notification appeared, I deleted the evidence and handed it back.
The car pulled up to the luxury jewelry store.
As I climbed out, a hand shoved me hard from behind.
"Hurry up!" Lola hissed, low enough that only I could hear.
I stumbled. Hit the pavement hard. Knees scraped against sharp gravel. Fresh blood bloomed on my skin.
"Layla!" Lola shrieked, rushing over with practiced panic, helping me up while casting wide, fearful eyes at Adam. "It's all my fault! I'm so clumsy—I didn't see her fall."
Adam stepped forward, gently wiping a tear from Lola's cheek before glaring at me. "She wasn't watching where she was going. It's not your fault."
I bit my lip until I tasted iron. Silently, I limped after them into the store.
Adam was at the counter, card in hand, ready to buy Lola whatever she desired.
Glass shattered.
A man in a black mask crashed through the display window, wielding an axe. Before anyone could react, he lunged forward and pressed the blade against Lola's neck.
"Hand over a hundred million! Now! Or I carve her up right here!"
Behind him, several thugs circled, greedy eyes locking onto Adam's watch and wallet.
Lola screamed. "Adam! Save me!"
Adam's face went pale. He raised his hands, emptying his pockets, tossing his wallet onto the counter. "There's ninety million on those cards! Take it! Just let her go—I'll get the rest from the bank!"
The leader spat. "You think we're stupid? Let you go, cops show up in five minutes."
His gaze shifted. Landed on me. A predatory grin spread beneath his mask.
"Wait. This one's your wife, isn't she? The dignified Mrs. James." He licked his lips. "Always wondered what high-society women taste like."
The gang erupted into coarse laughter.
Adam looked at the axe against Lola's throat. Then at me.
Silence.
Then, without hesitation:
"Fine. Let Lola go. Take my wife. Do whatever you want with her."
