Chapter 7%
Knowing my sister’s obsession with haury, Wallace personally arranged for high–end boutiques to deliver designer goods to the villa daily ~rows of haute couture, glittering jewels, and rare limited editions, all for her to choose from at her leisure”
Mis affection didn’t stop there. Each day brought a new surprise–a private concert in the garden, a diamond–studded watch custom engraved with her name, a five–star chef flown in just to cook her childhood favorite dish
But the moment that truly chilled me was when she slipped slightly in the bathroom
Just a slip &
Within an hour, Wallace had the slipper manufacturer and the villa’s renovation team dragged to the estate in chains. Without trial or hesitation, he had their hands severed and left them kneeling at the gates for three days and three nights–bloodied offerings for daring to endanger his beloved wife.“%
The cruelty was medieval. The devotion? Unhinged.”
It was clearer than ever–his love for my sister had surpassed, even eclipsed, the reverence he once held for Mrs. Jacobson.”
But that only deepened the question gnawing at me.”
Could a man who once searched the world for his wife not recognize her now?”
Haunted by doubt, I made my way to the mass grave where Wallace had callously ordered Mrs. Jacobson’s body to be thrown. The sight turned my stomach–her body discarded like worthless trash, buried nameless and alone.}
She had truly been forgotten.
Unless…
Unless Wallace knew everything. Unless it wasn’t about the woman, but the face she wore.}
Could he love that face so blindly that he didn’t care who was behind it?”
Or was there something deeper, something more dangerous, that I had yet to uncover?!
Just as my mind spiraled with questions, the front door flew open with a bang.”
My sister stormed in, heels clicking like gunshots on the tile, her designer gown trailing behind her like a storm cloud. Without warning, she raised her hand and slapped me hard across the face.”
The force sent me crashing to the floor.”
“You bitch! How dare you try to seduce Wallace?!“}
Dazed, I pressed a hand to my burning cheek and looked up at her, stunned.”
h
“Are you insane?! When did I ever-?”}
Before I could finish, my mother rushed forward, equally confused.}
“Mary, what are you talking about? What do you mean she seduced Wallace?“}
My father’s expression turned ugly as he glared at me. “Explain yourself! If you’ve done anything shameless, don’t think we’ll protect you!“}
My sister stormed forward, grabbed a fistful of my hair, and yanked me to my feet.”
“You filthy little snake. Pretending to be innocent? Trying to play the victim now?“>
Then she pulled something from her bag–a jade pendant.”
She shoved it in front of my face like it was evidence in a courtroom.}
“Isn’t this the jade pendant grandma gave you when you were little?”
I froze.
It was. A simple thing, not worth much in money, but priceless in meaning. I’d lost it as a child. I cried for days.}
And now, here it was… in her hands.
My voice trembled. “Where did you get that?“}
Her eyes narrowed with venomous satisfaction. “Where? I found it in Wallace’s study! He keeps it locked in a glass case, touches it like it’s sacred!“}
My heart lurched. Why would Wallace have my lost pendant–unless…
I didn’t get the chance to finish the thought.
My father, face red with rage, grabbed an ashtray and hurled it at me. It struck my head with a sickening crack, sending me crashing to the floor again. Blood trickled down my temple.
“You disgusting brat!” he roared. “Seduce your sister’s man behind our backs?! I’ll kill you!“}
I clutched my head, vision blurry, but my voice remained calm. “I don’t know how that pendant got to Wallace. There has to be a misunderstanding-”
Another slap came from my mother, sharper and colder than the first.
“Still trying to deny it? You’re just jealous of Mary’s life as Mrs. Jacobson, aren’t you? Always playing the victim, always scheming!” Before I could defend myself, my sister vanished into the kitchen and came back holding a fruit knife.
The blade pressed cold against my cheek.
“You always looked like me. Everyone said it since we were kids.” Her eyes gleamed with madness. “So what, you thought if I could
