Chapter 3

Rosalie's POV

The second I pushed through the door, camera flashes nearly blinded me.

Reporters swarmed. Microphones shoved in my face.

"Mrs. Moretti, what's your response to the online accusations against your sister?"

"Some are saying she was involved in that serial murder case nine years ago. As someone who was there—"

"Shut up and stick to the script." Father's voice hissed in my ear. "Say you've been jealous of her all these years. Bullying her. Apologize."

Ethan leaned in from the other side, voice colder. "Admit that your crying got Mom killed. Vanessa helped us catch the killer. She's got nothing to do with any of this. Got it?"

I didn't answer.

My eyes drifted past the crowd to Vanessa.

She stood nestled against Dominic, draped in white, golden hair cascading down her shoulders. Picture-perfect. Innocent smile aimed at the cameras.

But the second her eyes met mine, they curved with triumph.

That look. I knew it too well.

Nine years ago, on that rainy night, Mom and I were cutting through an alley when we saw a little blonde girl crouched by a dumpster, crying. I tugged Mom's hand—she looks so sad. Mom's heart melted. She knelt down, wiped the girl's tears, asked if she wanted us to walk her home.

The little girl nodded sweetly.

We smiled and followed her into that dark alley. We had no idea we were walking straight into hell.

"Rosalie!" Ethan's grip crushed my arm, nails digging in. "The hell are you spacing out for? TALK!"

I lifted my head, facing the wall of flashing lights. I grabbed a microphone from the nearest reporter.

Vanessa's smile grew wider.

I took a deep breath—

And smashed the mic straight into Vanessa's face.

"IT WAS HER!" I screamed. "She helped the killer! She STOLE my life, seduced my husband, TOOK my child!"

The crowd erupted. Flashes exploded. Reporters shoved forward.

Vanessa clutched her face, tears spilling instantly. "Sis... how could you... what did I ever do to you..."

Her voice cracked. She swayed, collapsing into Dominic's arms.

Dominic's face went dark. He wrapped an arm around Vanessa's waist and lifted her hand—the diamond ring glinting—toward the cameras.

"Everyone, I've proposed to Vanessa." His voice was ice. "Rosalie is my ex-wife. We divorced three years ago. She's been slandering Vanessa out of jealousy ever since."

I froze. Like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over my head.

So I was the homewrecker. That was the story.

The reporters' eyes shifted. Pity. Disgust. Schadenfreude. Their stares cut like needles.

"Looks like the rumors were true," someone whispered. "Mrs. Moretti was the other woman all along..."

"I heard her personal life is... messy..."

Ethan strode forward, clamped a hand on the back of my neck, and flashed an apologetic smile at the press.

"Sorry, everyone. My sister's not... mentally stable. Apologies for the scene."

He dragged me inside, fingers digging into my neck hard enough to bruise.

The second the door shut, his smile vanished.

"Are you fucking TRYING to get yourself killed?"

Dominic followed. He grabbed my jaw, forcing my head up.

"I told you to clear things up. Not to lose your goddamn mind."

"Clear things up?" I laughed bitterly. "You want me to cover for a murderer? Dream on."

"Still spewing bullshit." Ethan snorted. "Forget talking. Just teach her a lesson."

Dominic waved his hand.

Two men in black stepped forward. I figured it'd be the usual—a few slaps, some scare tactics.

The first slap knocked me to the floor. My lip split open instantly.

Something was wrong. This was way harder than before.

Before I could react, a foot slammed into my lower belly.

Timed for when Dominic had his back turned.

Agony exploded through my abdomen. I crumpled, drenched in cold sweat.

That pain. I knew it too well.

My mind blurred. Flashes from long ago—

A basement. A man. Red-hot iron pressed against my skin. I screamed for my mother.

"Stop crying." He leaned down, licked his lips. "Your mommy's dead. Stay here and be my little toy."

I was trapped for six years.

When I finally escaped, I thought the nightmare was over.

But here I was again—beaten to the ground, unable to move.

A tearing pain ripped through my lower belly.

Something warm trickled down my thighs.

I didn't even know—I was pregnant. Dominic's second child. An accident from that night he used me to get off. I thought it was the last thread holding us together.

Now even that was slipping away.

"Nn..." I curled up on the floor, too broken to speak.

Dominic frowned. He turned and saw the blood seeping from under my dress.

"Stop." His voice was sharp.

Vanessa rushed over first, leaning down with fake concern. "What's wrong, sis? Is it your period?"

She reached out to help me up—nails digging into my arm. When no one was looking, she leaned close, her voice soft as a snake's hiss:

"Pregnant? Perfect."

"Dominic still needs an heir. I'm getting bored with Arlene anyway—why don't you make me another one?"

Blood roared in my ears. My vision went black.

"You BITCH—!"

I lunged at her, but someone grabbed my wrists.

A small figure shot out and sank her teeth into my calf.

"Don't you TOUCH my mommy! You're a BAD WOMAN!"