I Was the Family Scapegoat

They said I killed them all.

My father. My daughter. My brother's legs. One explosion, one moment of selfishness, and I became the family murderer.

My husband Dominic—the most feared mafia boss in the city—drowned himself in whiskey. I drowned myself in something worse.

Three years on the pole. Three years with strangers' cash stuffed in my bra, their cocks shoved down my throat, their fists in back alleys, their cameras catching every degradation. Three years swallowing cum and shame to scrape together half a million for my brother's surgery.

Then the doctors found the tumor. Three months left.

One last show, I told myself. A blindfolded performance. Enough to pay off Ethan's debt before I died.

That's when someone ripped off my blindfold.

Dominic.

Behind him stood my very-alive father. And Ethan—on two perfect legs, kicking aside an empty wheelchair. And my adopted sister Vanessa, draped over my husband, flashing a diamond ring.

This whole performance? Her birthday present.

"Surprise, sweetheart." Dominic smiled. "The explosion was fake. We just needed to put you in your place."

Ethan laughed. "Three years of stripper money made one hell of a party, sis."

My father still wouldn't look at me. "Learn to treat Vanessa right, or you're no daughter of mine."

The room exploded in laughter.

I stood there, diagnosis crumpled in my fist.

The explosion was fake. The crippled legs were fake. Everything was fake.

But the cancer eating my brain?

That was real.

Rosalie's POV

"You lied to me! You've been lying to me for THREE YEARS!"

I wrapped my arms around my nearly naked body, shaking.

The room glittered with tuxedos and evening gowns, champagne flutes clinking everywhere. And there I stood—cheap stage sequins, smeared makeup, a piece of trash dumped into a ballroom.

Dominic dropped my blindfold on the floor like it was garbage. His face was stone cold. "Consider it a lesson. You pushed Vanessa down the stairs three years ago and never owned up to it. What'd you think was gonna happen?"

My blood ran cold.

Three years ago, Vanessa and I had a massive blowout. She accused me of pushing her down the stairs. I stormed off. Dominic came looking for me, and his enemies seized the moment to strike—I'd spent every day since believing that explosion was my fault.

So for three years, I gritted my teeth and stripped for cash. Took Dominic's drunken fists and curses. All to hold together what was left of this broken family.

"The money I made all these years—"

"Gone." Ethan kicked the empty wheelchair aside and jerked his chin at the fireworks rigged around the room. "Tonight's party. Covered the whole thing."

He shot me a look of pure disgust. "Stripper money. That's about all it's good for."

I stared at his legs—both strong, both standing. Something in my chest caved in.

To pay for his surgery, I'd gotten on my knees in hospital hallways begging doctors. Got screamed at from his wheelchair—useless bitch—while I scraped together every cent for him.

"Just to teach me a lesson," my voice shook, "you faked being crippled for three years?"

"Because of YOU." Ethan scowled like I was the crazy one. "Ever since you came back, all you've done is make Vanessa's life hell. We had to set you straight."

Dominic cut in, flat and matter-of-fact. "Vanessa didn't do shit. Why do you keep coming for her?"

I laughed. A broken, ugly sound. Tears spilled down my cheeks.

She didn't do shit?

"Then what about my daughter?" I snapped my head up. "You told me she died in that explosion—"

"She didn't." Dominic pulled out his phone, swiped twice, shoved the screen in my face. "She's living her best life with Vanessa."

On the video, Arlene twirled in a pink princess dress and threw herself into Vanessa's arms. "Mommy, you're the best mommy in the whole world! I love you SO much!"

I froze. My ears filled with static.

Three years. For three goddamn years, I woke up screaming from nightmares of Arlene burning alive. Couldn't look at photos of kids. Couldn't walk past a preschool. Couldn't even glance at little girls on the street.

And she was alive. She'd been alive this whole time.

"Where is she?" I lunged at Dominic, fisting his collar. "Where's Arlene? GIVE HER BACK!"

He shoved me off, eyes glacial. "You think you deserve her? Look at yourself."

His gaze raked over me, dripping contempt. "Stinking of booze. Face full of cheap makeup. Shaking your ass for men in clubs. What kind of mother is that?"

"She's way better off with Vanessa."

"Vanessa wanted a kid around," Ethan added, casual as hell. "Arlene doesn't even remember you. Giving her away? Not a big deal."

Ice flooded my veins. My nails bit into my palms.

"Why..." My voice came out raw. "If you were gonna lie to me, why not just let me die believing it?"

Ethan and Dominic exchanged a look.

"Because Vanessa wants a son too."

Dominic's tone was flat. "Her body can't handle it. Can't carry one herself. But hey—you're right here. Convenient."

I stared at them like they'd both lost their minds.

"Pop out a son for us, Rosalie, and you're back in the family." Ethan actually smiled. "Be good. You can always have more kids later."

"How can you DO this to me?" I screamed. "I'm family too!"

The slap came fast.

I staggered, cheek on fire.

Ethan lowered his hand and looked down at me. "You wanna talk about family? If it weren't for you, Mom would still be—"

He stopped. Swallowed the rest. Glared at me with pure hatred.

Father stepped out from the edge of the crowd. Let out a cold snort. Didn't even look at me.

"Rosalie, we were ready to let it go. All you had to do was accept Vanessa. But no—you've been a pain in the ass since the day you walked back in."

I opened my mouth.

What was there to explain? Where those accusations came from? Who actually pushed who down those stairs?

I'd been explaining for three years. Not one of them ever believed me.

That's when Vanessa walked over, carrying a slice of birthday cake.

She lowered her lashes and let out a soft sigh. "Sis, I know you hate me. But we're still family. Dad and Ethan... they're just upset."

She held the cake out to me, lifting her eyes. Her voice was sugar-sweet.

"Just say it. In front of everyone. Admit you're the reason Mom's dead—and we'll forgive you."

My hands started shaking.

The reason Mom's dead.

Four words. Like red-hot needles straight into my brain.

This BITCH. How DARE she.

The plate shattered on the floor.

I grabbed Vanessa by the throat and slammed her into the glass wall behind her.

"IT WAS YOU! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO KILLED MY MOTHER!"