Chapter 4
"Brenda, I've got a necklace for you," I said. "Keep it if you like, or toss it if you don't."
Brenda was overjoyed. "Thank you, Miss."
Karl wanted to protest, but I casually opened the liquor cabinet and poured myself a glass of wine. He shook his head and walked away.
After finishing my wine, I made my way to the main hall, where numerous high-end wedding dresses were lined up.
As I arrived, Karen was already picking through them. She enthused, "Thank God, you're here. Come help me choose. See which one looks best on me."
I found her excitement amusing. These clothes were all mine.
She stood fixated beside a dress encrusted with diamonds, her eyes overflowing with greed.
"Anyone you like?" I asked flatly.
Karen turned her head, instantly plastering on a fake smile. "This one is beautiful. I like it so much."
She stroked the fabric, her tone patronizing: "I know you're envious, but you need to understand that you're a daughter who will eventually marry into another family. The Cole family business will go to Karl one day. Don't envy me. Just get used to it."
With no one around, she dropped the fragile, pitiful act and bared her fangs.
A chuckle was my only response. I turned to the door and called out, "Brenda."
The maid quickly came in. "Miss."
I lifted my chin slightly. "She picked that one. Burn it."
"Yes, Miss." Brenda nodded.
The smile on Karen's face froze, twisting into disbelief and fury. She clutched the dress protectively and shrieked, "No one touches my wedding dress! I'm a member of this family now, pregnant with Donald's grandchild. Touch it and see what happens!"
I couldn't help but sneer at Karl's blindness. This was the innocent slum girl he talked about.
Undeterred, Brenda yanked the dress away from her grip and started toward the door. Karen watched helplessly, her reason snapping in rage.
She screamed and lunged at me, shoving my shoulders hard. Caught off guard, I stumbled back, my waist slamming into the sharp corner of the heavy mahogany coffee table.
A searing pain shot through me, and I instinctively raised my hand to wipe it—bright red blood, blinding in its intensity.
Karen, after knocking me down, collapsed limply onto the carpet. She clutched her belly, letting out an agonized wail. "My belly! It hurts! Karl, save our baby!"
Her screams were heartrending, and her terrified act was Oscar-worthy.
Soon, hurried footsteps came from the hallway. Karl rushed in, wrapped her in his arms, and shouted at the family doctor behind him. "Quick! Help her! Save the baby!"
He glared up at me, his voice raw and broken. "Tabitha! You can't tolerate her that much? What has she ever done to you? How could you harm her and my child like this?"
"You're blind and stupid! I pity you!" I shot back. "Keep your woman in check. If this happens again, I won't mind turning her lies into reality."
Just then, Richard strolled calmly into the hall, holding a pair of custom-made wedding rings.
You may also like
