Chapter 5

In a haze, I thought I heard Ethan's voice, soft and broken. "Melody, I'm sorry..."

A phone's ring snapped me awake. The room was empty—just another dream. I grabbed my phone.

It was Bella, her voice electric. "Melody, I found proof Zoe killed your pup!"

I tore out of the house, meeting Bella to get the USB drive she'd mentioned.

"It's a recording of Zoe admitting she ran him down," Bella said. "I can't step in myself—conflict of interest. Take it to the courthouse, find a judge, and submit it in person."

I didn't waste a second, rushing to the courthouse. The assistant said the head judge wasn't in yet, so I waited in his office, my palms sweating, nerves on edge.

The door creaked open. I turned, and my heart stopped.

Zoe stood there, flanked by two enforcers. "Melody, what are you doing in my dad's office?"

My spine stiffened. "I got the wrong room. I'm here for Ethan."

I moved to leave, but she blocked me, her smile sharp. "Oh? Not here to flip your case with some recording, are you?"

My heart lurched—she knew. I lunged for the door, but the enforcers slammed me to the floor. Before I could scream, Zoe's heel ground into my hand, crushing the USB drive. Pain shot through me, sweat beading on my forehead.

"This is a courthouse!" I gritted out. "You'll regret this!"

Zoe plucked the drive from my hand, smirking. "This?"

I lunged. "Give it back!"

But my world collapsed. She plugged the drive into the office computer, her smile widening. "Bella didn't lie. You're still trying to take me down."

"What?" I whispered, dread pooling in my gut.

"Your dear friend Bella," Zoe said, her voice dripping with glee. "She told me you were hunting for dirt to clear your name. I had her test you, and you fell for it."

She hit play. The recording wasn't a confession—it was Ethan and Zoe, their voices tangled in intimacy. "Zoe... you're incredible..."

"And Melody?" Zoe's voice purred.

"She's nothing compared to you."

My stomach heaved. I vomited right there, the betrayal choking me.

Zoe wrinkled her nose. "Pathetic. Betrayed by your mate and your best friend."

My eyes stared blankly at the floor, my soul split in two, drifting away. Three years of Bella's visits, her promises, her lies. Now, I was truly alone.

When I came to, I was in a basement, the air thick with the hissing of snakes. They slithered around me, their scales glinting in the dim light. As a pup, I'd nearly died from a snakebite. They were my worst fear.

But now? I felt nothing. I slumped against the wall, numb.

Zoe's voice came through the door. "Keep an eye on her. Ethan said she can suffer, but don't let her die here."

So Ethan was in on this too.

I should've felt pain, but my heart was a void. As the snakes surged toward me, I closed my eyes, ready to let go.