When Dominic finally answered, his tone was relaxed—almost amused, as though he’d been expecting my call all along.

“Well, this is unexpected,” he said lightly. “Last time we talked, you said marrying me would be worse than death. What happened?”

A sharp, humorless laugh escaped my lips. “Victor already made it clear he’d rather see me dead,” I replied. “So tell me, Dominic—doesn’t that automatically put you ahead of him?”

There was a pause on the line, just long enough for my chest to tighten. Then he laughed, low and edged with something dark. “So now I’m the backup plan? The consolation prize because your perfect man turned out to be trash?”

My fingers curled around the phone. “If you’re not interested, then forget this conversation ever happened,” I snapped. “I’ll deal with my life on my own.”

“Valeria,” he said quietly, the teasing gone, replaced by a tired exhale. “I never said I didn’t want you. I always have. But if we’re going to do this, there’s something you need to agree to.”

My heart skipped. “What is it?”

“You don’t get to leave me again,” Dominic said, his voice steady and unyielding. “No matter what happens. No matter who interferes. If you choose me, you stay. I won’t chase you a second time.”

Something heavy settled in my chest—part fear, part strange comfort. My lips trembled, but I answered anyway. “Then start preparing for the wedding.”

He let out a sharp breath. “Just like that?”

“Not quite,” I replied, forcing calm into my voice. “There’s one more thing I need. I want them to feel what it’s like to lose me. Every single one of them. Can you make it look like I died—in five days?”

The silence stretched, then broke with a quiet, dangerous laugh. “Leave it to me.”

My hand slipped, the phone nearly falling as my body shook. I never imagined my life would spiral into this—but anything was better than staying with people who had been betraying me for years without remorse.

The hours passed slowly after that. I waited. For a call. A message. Any sign that someone noticed I was gone. That someone cared.

No one did.

Not Victor.

Not Adrian.

Not Leo.

By nightfall, the emptiness was unbearable. Against medical advice, I forced myself out of the hospital and went back to the house I once called home.

The moment I stepped inside, my stomach twisted. The air was thick with alcohol and cigarette smoke. The remnants of a celebration were everywhere—empty bottles, overturned glasses, confetti crushed into the floor. It looked like a place where joy had thrived without a single thought of me.

I climbed the stairs slowly, my bag dragging behind me—until I saw her.

Marcella.

Her face drained of color when she spotted me. She staggered backward, clutching her chest in panic. “She’s here—she’s alive! She’s going to hurt me!”

Her voice brought Adrian and Leo rushing out immediately.

“And why would she do that?” Adrian snapped, glaring straight at me.

Their eyes pinned me in place—cold, accusing.

“Where have you been?” Leo demanded. “You vanished for days. You missed the party welcoming Marcella back. Do you know how disrespectful that is?”

My chest tightened. “A welcome party?” I whispered. “For her? After everything she did? You both said you’d never forgive her. You said she destroyed this family—said she was responsible for Father’s death!”

The blow came before I could react.

Adrian’s palm struck my face, the sound echoing through the hall. Pain exploded across my cheek as tears sprang to my eyes.

“Don’t say that again!” he growled. “Marcella told us the truth. You were the one who introduced her to that man. You set her up. You let her take the fall so you could walk away clean.”

My heart dropped. “That’s a lie!” I cried. “Yes, I knew him—but only because Marcella begged me to introduce them. She liked him! She chased him! I warned her, Adrian. I told her it was dangerous. Everything that happened after that was her decision, not mine!”

But his expression only hardened.

“You really expect us to believe you?” Leo snapped. “After deceiving us for years?”

I shook my head desperately. “I never touched his money. I never worked with him. I stayed away. You’re blaming the wrong person!”

Marcella lowered her head, her shoulders trembling as she played her part perfectly. “Please… stop fighting. This is why I stayed away for so long. I didn’t want to tear the family apart.”

Leo silenced me with a glare. “Enough, Valeria. We’re done listening to your excuses.”

Marcella sniffed softly, whispering, “I shouldn’t have come back if it only causes pain. I just wanted us to be a family again.”

“Family?” Victor’s voice cut through the tension as he descended the stairs. His arms crossed over his chest, his eyes emotionless. “This isn’t a fight. We’re just fixing things. Valeria should apologize—and hand over her inheritance. It was never meant for her. Marcella deserves it.”

I shook my head violently. “No! Father gave it to me because he trusted me. He knew I was the only one who wouldn’t destroy this family!”

Leo struck me again, this time harder. “Enough! You don’t deserve anything—not after everything you’ve done.”

My body trembled, fury burning through me. Tears blurred my vision, but I refused to cry in front of them. “I’m ashamed of all of you,” I said hoarsely. “I don’t have a family anymore.”

I ran upstairs and slammed my bedroom door shut. My hands shook as I stuffed clothes into a bag, anger and heartbreak fueling every movement.

The door opened behind me.

Victor.

He stepped closer, his voice suddenly gentle, arms wrapping around me like nothing had happened. “I’m sorry. Just calm down, okay? Let’s talk. I only wanted to—”

I shoved him away with all the strength I had left. My fingers closed around the cheap plastic ring on my hand—the five-dollar promise he once called forever. With a hollow laugh, I tore it off and threw it at his chest.

“Stay away from me,” I said coldly. “Keep your lies. I don’t need them anymore.”

Victor closed the door behind him, his expression painted with guilt, yet those familiar, cutting eyes never softened.

“Valeria,” he murmured, rubbing his temples as if I were the source of his pain. “I only said those things because Marcella’s been struggling. She needed support. Maybe you could try to see it from her side.”

I let out a bitter laugh, broken and hollow. “See it from her side? After everything she’s done, after everything I’ve lost, you expect me to sympathize with her?”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice into a faux gentleness. “About the inheritance… don’t you think you should just hand it to her? The papers will be signed soon, and honestly, Valeria, you’ve never been good with business. At least she might make something of it.”

A dull ache spread through me. Not surprise—just the sting of old wounds ripped open again.

I had grown accustomed to this—his words, his manipulation, the way he always turned the story so I looked unreasonable. I remembered the nights he swore he’d whisk me away for our anniversary, the days he promised to introduce me proudly as his wife, the whispered promises of “next time” that never came. I had believed him. I thought it was loyalty. I thought it was love. But now I realized it had been nothing but blindness.

Victor dug into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. “I was planning our wedding in five days,” he said softly, almost pleading. “It was meant to be a surprise, but maybe knowing will calm you. The ring is real this time, Valeria—not fake. We’ll make this official. Merge the families. Please.”

His words hung in the air, insubstantial, like smoke slipping through my fingers. A part of me—weak, foolish, still aching—remembered the man I once thought loved me. But it was an illusion. He never wanted me. He wanted my inheritance. My father’s favor.

Even my brothers—Adrian and Leo—I had believed they loved me. Protected me. Cherished me. But now I could see clearly: they smiled because Father had favored me, because I held everything in my hands. It was envy, disguised as familial loyalty.

And Marcella… I had trusted her, shared secrets, defended her, covered for her when Father was angry. I thought sisters were meant to protect each other. But maybe she stayed close because I was useful. Because I shielded her. Because she could laugh in Victor’s arms when I wasn’t looking. How long had it been happening? How many “busy nights” were really spent with her?

I had believed he was building a future with me. I cooked meals that went cold, celebrated birthdays alone, lit candles on anniversaries by myself, thinking he was just working hard. But he wasn’t busy—he was lying. Cheating. Building a life without me.

He added softly, almost pleading, “Marcella is unwell. She needs us. We need her back in the family.”

I shook my head, tears stinging. “Unwell? You blamed me for everything I never did. I didn’t scam anyone. I lost our baby, and you—”

Before I could finish, Marcella’s scream shattered the air.

“Help me! Victor!”

He spun instantly, sprinting toward her cry, leaving me frozen. Always her. Never me.

I clenched my fists and swallowed the sob that rose in my throat. Fine. Let him run to her. Let them all. I didn’t care anymore.

I returned to my room, wiped my face, and struck a match. A candle flickered, soft and trembling. I set it before me and whispered a prayer for the child I never knew, the one stolen before I could even hold it. My lips quivered.

“My baby… I’m sorry. I should’ve protected you.”

The flame blurred as fresh tears burned my eyes.

Then, heavy footsteps pounded the floor. The door burst open.

Adrian stormed in, his face dark, his hand gripping my wrist. “Come with me.”

I struggled. “What are you doing?”

“You share her blood,” he said flatly. “She needs it. You’re going to give it.”

“No! I won’t—”

Before I could finish, a fist struck me. Leo’s fist. My head snapped to the side, spinning. Pain shot through my skull. Before I could scream, darkness swallowed me whole.

When I came to, the world was a blur. Bright lights above stabbed at my eyes. My arms felt heavy, my veins screaming with every pulse.

I tilted my head weakly and realized… tubes were attached to me. They were drawing my blood.

“No…” My voice barely rose above a whisper.

Nearby, a doctor’s voice rang in alarm. “We can’t take any more! She’s already too weak from the accident. If we push further, she won’t survive!”

“Drain it all!” Victor’s voice thundered, cold and merciless. “I don’t care if she dies!”

My lips trembled. He wanted this.

Adrian’s voice followed, harsh and bitter. “Make her weak. Sick enough she can’t resist. Enough so she suffers.”

Leo’s low, cruel laugh added, “Yes. Then we take everything.”

The words cut deeper than the needles piercing my veins. My chest heaved. My vision darkened. I wanted to scream, to fight, to curse them—but my body betrayed me. I was weak, helpless, trapped.

Edges of light bled into black. The voices faded, distant and hollow.

And then… nothing.

When my eyes opened again, the ceiling wavered above me, blurred and shifting. My body felt impossibly heavy, my limbs trembling so violently I could barely move. Even lifting a finger felt like a monumental effort, as if my bones might snap with the slightest motion. But I forced myself. I had no choice.

With every scrap of strength left, I stretched toward the nightstand. My hand shook uncontrollably, nearly dropping the phone, but I clutched it tightly enough to dial the one number that could change everything.

The line rang once. Twice. Then a calm, familiar voice answered. “Ms. Valeria?”

I swallowed, my throat raw, my voice almost a whisper. “Transfer everything. Every asset. All the money in my name… send it to Dominic.”

A sharp intake of breath followed. “Dominic? Are you certain? And your brothers? Victor? This is—”

“They’ll manage,” I rasped, forcing the words out through the burning ache in my chest. “Father left them more than enough. But everything under me—my inheritance, all of it—goes to Dominic. If I leave this world, I’ll make sure they feel the loss too. Not just me. All of them. That’s the last gift I can give.”

“Valeria…” His hesitation was heavy, almost pleading. “Once this is done, it can’t be undone.”

“Do it,” I said. My fingers loosened around the phone, and it slipped from my trembling hands, clattering to the floor. I couldn’t bend to retrieve it even if I wanted to.

The door creaked open.

“What’s going on?” Adrian’s sharp, suspicious voice cut through the silence. He bent down and snatched the phone. “Who’s Dominic?”

Leo followed behind him, his face twisted with rage. “Are you calling another man while lying sick in bed? Cheating on Victor?”

I tried to speak, to explain. “It’s not—”

But Victor appeared then, his shadow swallowing the room. His gaze locked on me, piercing and cold. “Who is Dominic?”

I shook my head weakly. “Nothing. Just… nothing.”

“She’s lying,” Leo hissed.

Adrian smirked, indifferent. “Doesn’t matter. She’s fragile. Let her eat for now—we’ll get what we need later.”

“No…” I whispered, pushing against the weight pressing me down. “I can’t… I’m too weak…”

They didn’t care.

Leo shoved a stack of papers toward me. “Sign these. Hospital forms. Don’t bother reading.”

I blinked, vision hazy, but I could still make out the words—the inheritance transfer, the legal clauses my father always warned me to watch. They thought I was helpless.

Fine. I picked up the pen with trembling hands and signed. Because I knew already—Dominic had everything. Whatever they tried to claim would be gone.

Victor leaned down, brushing his lips mockingly against my forehead. “Good girl. Rest now. Once you’re strong again, the wedding will happen.”

A wedding? With him? I almost laughed. He could starve me, bleed me dry, try to break me—but he would never have me willingly.

The day passed in a blur of exhaustion until I managed to rise. I asked the nurse where Marcella was. She pointed toward the east wing.

I found her on her bed, eyes wide, innocence painted on her face. “Valeria! You shouldn’t be up. Are you okay? I never—”

“Spare me,” I croaked, my voice raw but sharp with anger. “I’m not here for your lies. I came to say goodbye.”

Before she could respond, I lifted the glass of water in my hand and flung it at her.

Her scream rang out, hands clawing at her soaked hair. “You—how dare you!”

I didn’t hesitate. I slapped her across the face. The sharp crack echoed, and for the first time, I felt no remorse.

I turned and ran. Her screams followed me.

“Adrian! Leo! Victor! She—she attacked me!”

Footsteps thundered behind me. Victor’s voice shouted my name, but I didn’t stop.

“Punish her!” Marcella shrieked. “Stop her!”

My legs wobbled, but adrenaline carried me. I burst through the front door into the street. A taxi slowed just in time, and I was about to climb in when a familiar, steady hand gripped mine.

I froze. “Dominic?”

He smiled, small but determined, eyes blazing. “I’ve got you. Let’s go.”

He opened the door, guiding me inside. My heart pounded as the city lights blurred behind us. We drove fast, away from the screaming house, away from Victor, my brothers, Marcella.

Hours later, the lights of a private airstrip appeared. A plane waited, engines humming.

Dominic squeezed my hand as he helped me onto the steps. “From this moment, Valeria, no one will ever hurt you again.”

I took a steady breath, pulling out my phone. I stared at the unanswered calls, the unread messages. Then, finally, I pulled the SIM card and tossed it into the night.

---

Victor’s POV

“She slapped me!” Marcella shrieked. “She threw water at me! I told you she’d do this one day!”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, fighting the headache creeping behind my eyes. Everything was spiraling.

Adrian and Leo muttered angrily in the corner about Valeria’s defiance.

“Enough,” I snapped. “We’ll handle this.”

“She’s weak before,” Adrian said, “we should’ve drained more blood when we had the chance.”

Leo clenched his jaw. “She can’t have gone far. We’ll find her.”

I turned to the butler, nervous by the doorway. “Where is she? Did you see where she went?”

Marcella buried her face in her hands. “She hates me. She’ll ruin everything, Victor! You have to stop her!”

Then footsteps pounded the floor. The butler returned, ashen, sweat dripping from his brow.

“Sir…” His voice trembled. “I just received a call. From the highway patrol.”

“What?” My stomach dropped.

He swallowed hard. “There’s been… an accident. Miss Valeria… she… she’s dead. She jumped off the bridge…”