Chapter 3
William stood in the doorway, taking in the sight of me crumpled on the carpet, Aurora holding the tablet high, and the crowd’s varied expressions all around.
"What’s going on here?" He frowned deeply.
Aurora rushed over to him at once, her eyes glistening with tears. "William, it’s all my fault. I accidentally played a video, and I never imagined it was Selene on screen… She’s furious with me, but I really didn’t mean any harm."
William shot me a glance, his gaze cold and dismissive, as if I were nothing but dirt on the floor.
"Get up. Stop making a fool of yourself in front of everyone."
He took Aurora’s hand and led her away, leaving me all alone on the carpet.
I struggled to my feet and wiped the blood from my broken fingernails onto my dress.
Late that night, I lay in bed, wide awake.
Noises drifted over from the next room — first laughter, then heavy panting, followed by a woman’s moans.
William was with Aurora. Her eyes lidded with desire as she gasped out a question. "Babe, when are you going to divorce that old hag?"
"No rush," William scoffed, never slowing his movements. "Once I get my hands on Father’s inheritance, she’s as good as dead."
Aurora giggled coquettishly and looped her arms around his neck. "You really don’t hold back. Honestly, how can you even stand to touch her after everything she’s been through? I’m the one who’s pure for you."
"Of course you are, my sweet girl."
I slipped out of bed barefoot and crept to the door. Peering through the crack, I saw the hallway was empty. The door to the next room stood ajar, warm light spilling out.
The lewd sounds continued without pause.
"Easy there, William…" Aurora whimpered.
"You’re so much better than her," William’s voice came out rough with lust. "The thought of her being touched by all those men makes my skin crawl."
Standing outside the door, I was overwhelmed by a bone-deep chill that spread across my entire body. My fingers trembled as I pulled a voice recorder out from my pajama pocket and hit record.
I returned to my bed and traced the lily tattoo etched just above my collarbone.
I’d gotten it on my eighteenth birthday. William had taken me to a tattoo parlor that day, leaning in to whisper in my ear, "This lily suits you perfectly — pure and untainted."
Back then, I’d smiled like a fool. Now, running my fingers over the ink, it felt like I was touching a tombstone.
The next morning at breakfast, I’d barely sat down when Aurora carried a bowl of congee over and took a seat across from me, wearing a sugary sweet grin.
"Selene, did you hear any strange noises last night?" She tilted her head playfully. "I barely slept a wink. Someone was certainly quite energetic…"
William snickered lewdly beside her.
I stared down at my bowl, my hands shaking uncontrollably.
All of a sudden, Aurora let out a fake yelp. The hot congee sloshed straight onto the back of my hand. My skin flared bright red instantly from the scalding heat.
"Oh no, I’m so sorry! My hand slipped!" She blinked, not a trace of genuine remorse on her face.
I bit back the pain and murmured, "It’s fine."
That afternoon, I was sitting on the sofa when my vision blurred. A low blood sugar spell had hit me hard.
Aurora walked over holding a bowl of sweet syrup, her expression soft and seemingly kind. "Here, have some of this. It’ll make you feel better."
I grew wary, wondering what trick she was planning this time, but reached out to take it anyway.
In an instant, she twisted her wrist. The bowl crashed to the floor, syrup splattering everywhere. She let out a shrill scream and clutched her hand. "It’s burning hot!"
William burst into the room right away.
"What happened?!"
"I-I’m okay…" Aurora’s eyes welled up with tears. "I just wanted to bring Selene some syrup, but she pushed me away."
"I didn’t do that!" I protested.
"Selene! Why do you keep picking on her? Are you out of your mind?!" He stormed over, grabbed me by the hair, and forced my head back.
As he pulled at my hair, the official document to activate the hidden will slid out from between the sofa cushions and landed right at his feet.
He bent to pick it up. After skimming the words, his eyes widened in shock. "A hidden will? The old man had this up his sleeve all along? You actually activated it?!"
He glared at me, his bloodshot eyes filled with rage.
"You dare try to steal all my family’s shares? You worthless witch!"
His gaze then fell on another bowl of syrup sitting on the table — one Aurora had prepared earlier, and I had no idea what dangerous substances were mixed inside.
William snatched up the bowl and hurled its contents straight at my face.
The second the scorching liquid hit my skin, I felt no pain at first — only a faint sizzling sound.
Then agony exploded across my skin, burrowing deep into my flesh and searing down to my bones.
My eyes clamped shut tight, and my lips stuck together. I knew immediately this was never just syrup.
White wispy smoke rose up as the corrosive liquid, laced with acid, ate away at my skin.
I opened my mouth and let out a raw, bloodcurdling scream.
