Rylee’s POV
Then came the second urn… and the third.
Each time the sound of an urn opening rang out, it felt like a knife slicing through my heart.
I bit down hard on the torn cloth until I tasted blood, my body shaking violently from the sheer pain and rage.
It seemed that Vlad had finally vented his fury. He turned off the camera and sent me a message, his tone icy.
“Rylee, this is all your own doing.”
The footsteps gradually faded while Madeline’s voice lingered nearby.
“Vlad, don’t be mad.”
Only after they had turned and walked away did the bodyguards tear open the sack.
With the last of my strength, I freed myself from the ropes.
Before me lay empty, scattered urns while a few dogs gnawed nearby. The scene was unbearable to look at.
Blood and tears smeared across my face, every bone in my body aching as if it had come apart.
I collapsed onto the cold floor, trembling.
From around the corner, Madeline suddenly turned, smiling at me.
I stared at their retreating backs, my fingernails digging into my flesh, hatred boiling in my chest.
I swear—I would also make them taste what it felt like to be abandoned by everyone!
I don’t know how long passed before I managed to stand, gathering the urns.
After a quick hospital visit to tend to my injuries, I returned home.
I took a shower, changed clothes, and, pulling my suitcase, resolutely opened the door.
Turning for one last look at the home I had once cherished, I poured gasoline over it without hesitation and dropped a lighter.
Flames erupted instantly, swallowing the villa.
In the blaze, I slipped divorce papers into the mailbox, then turned and left, heading straight for the airport.
On the way, a massive street screen showed Vlad throwing a birthday party for Madeline.
That’s when I remembered—today was her birthday.
On the screen, Vlad had covered the beach in roses, and Madeline stood in the middle of the flowers, smiling radiantly.
My parents stood proudly nearby.
The irony was that Vlad still wore our wedding ring, yet here he was, leaning down to place a necklace on Madeline, his expression brimming with genuine love.
I watched the four of them, a bitter laugh escaping me.
Approaching the airport, I immediately spotted the man in the trench coat.
Tall, with thin lips pressed into a line and deep, unreadable eyes, he looked at me with a smile that didn’t fade.
He walked toward me slowly, hand extended, smiling warmly.
“Miss Rylee, long time no see.”
“Long time no see,” I replied with a smile, shaking his hand.
“Today is my little sister’s birthday. As her older sister, I want to give her a gift.”
I handed him the flash drive I held.
He understood immediately and passed it to his assistant.
The plane lifted off, and I used the last of my strength.
In a daze, I felt a strong hand supporting my head.
Then, I fell into a deep sleep.
At that very moment, Madeline checked her phone at the birthday party, screamed, and fainted.
The celebration instantly fell into chaos.
Vlad carried Madeline toward the hospital, shouting, “Go to the villa and get Rylee to the hospital for a blood test!”
Before he could finish, his assistant came rushing in.
“Sir! It’s on fire!”
