Chapter 3
It wasn’t until later that night that the door finally opened again. Astrid came inside, holding a glass of water.
She stood in front of me with a mocking smirk, her voice dripping with provocation. “Elsie, just look at yourself. You look completely drained. No spark, no youth, no life left in you. No wonder Colsen chose me instead!”
Her words didn’t bother me anymore.
I truly didn’t care who Colsen chose to love.
“Oh, right, did your daughter die?” Astrid asked, sneering proudly. “Honestly, I hid the twins on purpose to make you look like the bad one. And it was my idea to hang your daughter up in the freezing wind all night. I suggested it to Colsen. Who would’ve thought it’d work so well and kill that little brat in one go? She’s just like you–weak and pathetic.
“Elsie, the Breslin family business will soon belong to my kids! And I’ll be the next Mrs. Breslin!”
“Astrid!” The second I heard her cruel words, I couldn’t stay calm
anymore.
Furious, I ran toward her, grabbed her hair, and screamed like a mad woman, “You vile woman! My daughter didn’t do anything to you. Why did you hurt her?”
“Ah!” Astrid suddenly dropped to her knees with a loud thud and started begging with fake tears. “Elsie, I’m sorry. I never should’ve gone after Colsen or destroyed your family. Please stop hitting me…”
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Chapter 3
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Then, the door burst open with a loud bang.
Colsen stormed in, his face filled with rage. “Elsie!”
He marched toward me and slapped me hard across the face. “Astrid came in to bring you water out of kindness. Instead of being grateful, you hit her? How could you be so cruel?”
The blow knocked me over.
My forehead hit the edge of the table, and a sharp pain followed. Warm blood started dripping down my face.
7
But I didn’t care about the injury. I stood up, pleading with him. “Colsen, please let me go. Kiara froze to death because of you. Her body is still at the funeral home. She hasn’t even been cremated. I can’t let her leave this world without peace…”
“Stop lying!” Colsen’s expression turned harsh. He glared at me and said coldly, “You’re heartless enough to curse your own child? Kiara was always healthy. There’s no way she froze to death! You’re just trying to run away!”
But that night, the temperature was -20°C. Kiara was only seven. How could she survive that kind of torment?
“Colsen, I’m not making anything up. I can prove it with this death certificate…” My hands were shaking as I pulled the document from inside my clothes.
Astrid gave a cold laugh. “Elsie, where did you get that fake certificate from? My friend got one made for two dollars, but yours looks way more convincing.”
“You’re terrible, Elsie!” Colsen shouted, his face full of fury. He ripped the certificate from my hand and threw it at me.
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“You really faked something like this just to trick me? I’m warning you, my patience is running out! Keep this up, and Astrid will replace you as my wife for sure! All the family’s money will go to her twins!”
The sharp paper scraped across my face, cutting my skin and drawing blood.
A wave of despair washed over me.
Just then, a sudden clatter came from Kiara’s room next door, followed by a strong scent of smoke.
My heart tightened in alarm. “What’s going on out there?”
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