I enunciated every syllable, my voice low and dangerous. "Otherwise, I'll call the police immediately. Trespassing is a crime, Kate."
Her mask slipped, revealing a flash of panic. "You wouldn't dare! Andrew wouldn't allow it!"
"Try me."
I lifted my phone, thumb hovering over the dial pad. "Let's see if he can get here before the patrol car does."
Kate bit her lip, her face twisting. She stomped her foot like a petulant child. "Fine! I'll go! Who wants to stay in this dump anyway? I'll tell Andrew exactly how unreasonable you're being!"
She spun around to pack, deliberately throwing items into her bag with a clattering racket.
Before she could finish, the lock clicked.
The door swung open. Andrew stood there, dark hair disheveled, breathing uneven—like he'd sprinted from the elevator.
Kate dropped the clothes in her hands instantly. Tears welled on cue as she threw herself at him. "Andrew! She's kicking me out! She threatened to have me arrested! I just needed somewhere to stay for a few days..."
His gaze softened the moment it landed on her. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, then turned to me.
The softness vanished. His brows drew together, hardening into that familiar disapproval. "Leah, why are you making a scene again? Kate's only staying temporarily. Do you really need to turn this into a war zone over something so trivial? You haven't even recovered—can't you just settle down?"
I didn't say a word.
I summoned every ounce of strength left in my hollowed-out body and lunged.
"Leah! What are you—"
Slap.
The sound cracked through the room like a whip.
My palm stung, vibrating with numbness. Andrew's head snapped to the side, angry red welts blooming against his pale skin.
Dead silence.
Kate's sobbing cut off like a switch had been flipped. She clamped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide with genuine shock.
Andrew remained frozen, head still turned.
After several agonizing seconds, he slowly faced me again. Fury ignited in his dark eyes. "Are you insane?"
But the moment he met my gaze, the rage faltered.
I stood rigid, jaw clenched so hard it ached. My face was drained of color, lips white from biting down. But it was my eyes that stopped him—rimmed red, swimming with tears I refused to let fall.
Andrew's pupils contracted. The icy desolation in my gaze seemed to pierce him.
"Leah..."
His voice came out hoarse, stripped of arrogance.
"Get out."
I didn't blink.
"Take her and get the hell out of my house. Now."
He stood rooted, reaching out as if to brush the moisture gathering at the corner of my eye. "Leah, don't cry..."
I jerked away like his touch was poison. The movement dislodged a single tear, tracing a cold path down my cheek.
"Don't touch me."
My voice was raspy, but absolute.
His hand froze midair.
Kate recovered her senses. She stepped out from behind him, shrieking. "You actually dared to hit Andrew! Have you no shame?"
"You don't get to say my name."
I turned my gaze on her—cold enough to freeze blood. "Need a refresher on the penal code for residential trespassing?"
She flinched, shrinking back.
Andrew closed his eyes, inhaling sharply. When he opened them, the emotions swirling in their depths were illegible. "Kate. Pack your things. We're leaving."
"Andrew!" She gasped, unable to believe he was conceding.
"Go. Now."
His voice dropped an octave, leaving no room for argument.
Kate fell silent. She shot me a look of pure venom, then marched into the bedroom, stuffing her belongings into her bag with chaotic fury.
For a moment, only the two of us remained.
Andrew studied me, expression pained. "The house is yours. I'll make sure she moves out. But your health—let me take you to the hospital."
"No need."
I walked to the door and pulled it wide, gesturing to the hallway. "Please."
He didn't move. "We need to talk."
"Talk about what?"
I let out a short, hollow laugh. "About how your innocent little cousin is the victim? About how aggressive and unreasonable I am?" I met his eyes. "Andrew, that slap was for the curse you let her put on me. From this moment on—we're even."
