Stubborn? I laughed bitterly to myself. Ever since Yvonne came into our lives, every time I stood my ground, it was labeled as jealousy and pettiness.
That evening, I forced myself to go home.
“Mommy!” My daughter, Candice Liddell, saw me and immediately hid behind Yvonne.
“Hey, Candice…” I managed a smile.
“Kathleen, you’re back,” Yvonne said, wearing the luxury suit I had given her. She was sitting in what used to be my spot.
“Yve, I have something for you.”
I walked to the study and returned with a folder. “These are the transfer papers for my art gallery. I want to give it to you.”
“What?” Yvonne stood up in shock. “Kathleen, that’s your beloved gallery!”
Yes, it was the gallery I had built from the ground up—my life’s work. However, at that point, none of that mattered anymore.
I smiled. “You’re better suited to run it than I am. Consider it an early wedding gift.”
Yvonne’s expression flickered, but she quickly resumed her innocent look. “Kathleen, what are you talking about?”
I stepped closer and whispered, “I know everything. It’s okay—I wish you both well.”
Bowen walked in just then, looking tense when he saw us together. “What are you two talking about?”
“Kathleen wants to give me the gallery,” Yvonne said with tears in her eyes. “She’s being so kind.”
Bowen looked at me, complex emotions flashing in his eyes. “Kathleen Sullivan, you—”
“I’m tired,” I said, interrupting him. “I’m going upstairs to rest. Candice, be good and listen to Aunt Yvonne.”
“Okay,” Candice replied flatly. Then, she turned to Yvonne. “Mommy Yvonne, let’s keep playing our game.”
My heart clenched when I heard her addressing her as Mommy Yvonne.
Back in the bedroom, I leaned against the door and finally collapsed. The cancer cells were devouring my life, and those drugs were accelerating the process.
Later, I began sorting through my closet. Those expensive dresses, jewelry, and handbags would all belong to Yvonne soon.
“You have 72 hours left,” I whispered to my pale reflection in the mirror. “Kathleen, for these last three days, let them remember a perfect version of you.”
I knew the truth would come out eventually.
Everything after my death had already been arranged, and the evidence I gathered would expose who Yvonne really was.
I knew they would regret it all, but I would already be gone by then.
That would be my revenge.
