CHAPTER 170
10
Amber
Laura is back.
And for the first time in my life, I’ve lost control.
I stare at the figure who should have existed only as a name on a gravestone. Her face is the same–full of confidence, eyes that challenge everyone, a faint smile like a knife dancing at the throat of anyone unprepared. She… is still alive. And she’s back with fury.
I grit my teeth. Eight years. Eight years I’ve controlled everything–Oliver, the triplets, even public sympathy. I played the role of the abandoned lover, the strong woman raising three orphans with sincerity. I slowly provoked them. Injected poison into those kids‘ minds- that Laura was cunning, that she caused their mother’s death. I shaped the narrative. I built the throne.
And now… she’s here to ruin it.
I don’t know how she survived the triplets‘ plan that night. We were all sure she was dead. Even the body buried by the Hudson family was hers, her face. I saw it clearly.
For something that had been so meticulously planned, it now felt impossible.
“Enough! Stop your nonsense!” I shouted, trying to cut off the sharp glares that were beginning to fall on me. “Laura, you have no right to stand here and play with death!“>
Laura turned slowly, like a lioness eyeing her prey with full appetite. “Miss Payne,” she said, “is there something you’d like to explain?“}
Her smile was terrifying. Cold. Almost demonic in its human form.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. “I… I feel for you. Your life has been sad, and I can understand your pain. But this isn’t the place for drama. This is the children’s birthday party.“}]
Laura raised an eyebrow. “Oh really? Then how do you explain the accident eight years ago, Amber?“}
I froze. In that moment, it felt like the whole room was holding its breath.”
Laura stepped forward. Each step was a blow. She came up close, staring straight at me like she knew exactly what I kept buried deep inside.
a
“The brake lines were cut. The garage CCTV was wiped. But funny thing… I got a copy,” she whispered sharply.
My fingers began to tremble. But I couldn’t falter. Not in front of Oliver. Not in front of those kids.
“Even if that’s true,” I said, voice low but steady, “how can you accuse me without direct evidence? You’re stringing together a theory like the whole world’s against you. I pity you, Laura.“}
Laura smiled. “You’re clever, Amber. But unfortunately, I’m more patient.”
My eyes scanned the room. Some guests began to whisper again. Oliver looked shaken, uncertain. The triplets started to look confused- those once–confident teenage faces now clouded with doubt.
And that’s what I feared.}
“Enough,” Levi finally spoke, face flushed with anger. “We don’t need to hear more from this woman!“}
Luca stood firm beside him. “You think just because you showed up, we’ll forget the last eight years without you?“}
Leon stepped forward, his face hard. “You’re dead to us. Stay that way.”
Laura said nothing. But I saw it. I caught that flicker of pain in her eyes–before she covered it with a thin, dignified smile.
“In that case…” she said softly, “I’ll go. But trust me, this isn’t over.”}
Laura turned. Her posture was upright, her steps slow but firm. As if she hadn’t lost, just retreated–for now..
And as the door shut behind her, I couldn’t hide my smile. Finally.
I won.2
I turned and looked at the triplets. They were still angry, but I knew that anger would turn on one person–Laura.
I stood in the corner of the room, watching the door close behind Laura. The murmur of voices resumed, but no one dared approach me. And I knew, this was my moment.”
Laura was gone. And like every other unfortunate woman, she gave up too quickly.
I gave a small smile, turned toward the balcony to breathe in the air of victory. But my steps halted.}
“Amber”
The voice was soft but it froze me. Like a velvet whip.
I turned. Evelyn Hudson stood tall like a marble statue, her gown falling perfectly, neatly, regally. But what pierced most were her eyes- sharp, cold, like a surgeon’s scalpel knowing exactly where to cut.!!
“Actually,” she said, her voice gentle but heavy with power, “I never truly chose you.”
My blood rushed. But my face stayed blank. I wouldn’t give this old woman the satisfaction.
“What do you mean, Mother?” I asked, voice barely a whisper, full of sweet pretense.!!
She raised her hand, stopping me. “I used to let you call me that. Not anymore. Not after you left Oliver for another man.”
I swallowed. But I smiled anyway.”
“I know your past, Amber,” she continued calmly, “And I know why you came back. Not for love, but for the Hudson name attached to Laura.”%
1:06
I stepped closer. This wasn’t the time to cower. This was the time to play smart.§
“Evelyn,” I said sweetly. “I’m a little offended that you chose Laura–a stranger without roots–to marry Oliver. But I understand, you did it for everyone’s sake.“}
She stared at me blankly. Then she pulled away from my hand, which had tried to gently grasp her arm. Without a word, she turned and walked away, as if I were nothing more than a stain on the marble floor of this house.§
I clenched my fists. Fine. Just wait until I become Mrs. Hudson for real.
<-0
The party started to resume after the chaos. I went upstairs, pretending to feel faint. But what I was really after was Oliver’s phone–and Laura’s name in it.§
I found her number easily. I tapped the screen.
Dial tone. One… two…
Connected.}
“I didn’t expect you to still be alive, Laura,” I said when she picked up, my voice light, but venomous.
Laura’s voice came back steady, like a rock battered by the storm. “I’ll stay alive to fight everyone who played with my life.“}
I let out a soft laugh. “How tragic. Why didn’t you just die? No one wants you.“>
She didn’t reply. Her silence was like a slap–letting me drown in my own rot.”
But I didn’t stop.
“Nice to have you back, Laura,” I said, like greeting a pathetic old friend. “I thought you’d be smarter. But turns out, you’re still the same weak woman.“}
Still no answer.
I smiled and sat on Oliver’s bed–the bed that had witnessed our relationship for four years. Laura might be his wife on paper, but I was where he came home to.
I exhaled slowly, then spoke in a near–moan.)
“Yes. I did it. I was the one who ordered Maureen’s brakes to be sabotaged. Because as long as she lived, Oliver only saw her. And I didn’t have time to wait for a blind love.”
I touched the bedsheets. Soft. Familiar. Like the imprint of Oliver’s body.
“But you didn’t die that night. What a shame. One small failure. But I didn’t give up. When Evelyn chose you to replace Maureen, it was laughable. That’s where you lost.”
I gripped the phone tighter.
“That gave me a reason to destroy you. And I did it with elegance. I got close to the triplets, whispered hatred, told them you were the reason their mother died. That you slithered into this family before Maureen’s blood had dried.”
I smiled wide. Pride blooming.
“And you know what, Laura? They believed me. Because I was the one they hugged when scared. I was the one they called ‘Mom‘ in their nightmares.“}
I lay back on the bed. Stroking the pillow like stroking victory.
“You’ve been dead to this family for a long time. Now you’re back only to watch me take everything.”
I closed my eyes, suppressing a laugh.”
“Soon, I’ll officially replace Maureen. Not out of pity. But because I earned it. With strategy. With the game.”
Silence.”
Then Laura’s voice, soft… calm… but enough to make my skin crawl.
“Thank you for your confession, Amber. Like you said… this game isn’t over.”}
I opened my eyes. Stared at the ceiling.”
The atmosphere shifted. There was something in her voice.
Then I heard a sound… a click. Soft, cold, undeniable.}
I sat up.E
No. No way
“Laura?”
No response.
My blood dropped to my stomach. My hands shook.
And for the first time in eight years, I felt afraid.”
