Chapter 3

"Understood, Ms. Sharpe. I have backups of every gift contract and transfer record. We can file suit whenever you're ready."

I hung up and settled into the car.

Reflect? Yes, I really should reflect.

My one mistake was being too good to her, feeding money into her until I'd raised an ungrateful animal with my own hands.

As the car pulled out of the lot, my phone buzzed.

Vanessa had posted something on her social media feed.

The photo was of her and Louisa at the celebration dinner, both of them beaming.

The caption read:

【Thank you to my dear mother for giving me my unmatched talent. That's the only reason I could win this award today.】

【But there's always some shameless person who did absolutely nothing and still wants to swoop in and steal the fruit.】

【Blood is the deepest bond in this world.】

I let out a cold laugh and tossed the phone onto the passenger seat.

When I pushed open the front door, the living room was blazing with light.

The dinner was over, and Vanessa hadn't just come home alone. She'd brought Louisa back too.

"What did you bring her into my house for?" I walked over, my face cold.

Vanessa didn't even lift her head at the sound of my voice.

"What do you mean your house? This is my house too. My mom had a scare today. What's wrong with me bringing her back to stay a few days?"

Louisa flashed me a smug little smile.

"Melissa, don't be angry. Vanessa's just a devoted daughter."

"Don't worry, I'm only staying in the master bedroom. I won't dirty up any of your other rooms."

The master bedroom?

I strode to my bedroom door and shoved it open.

The room, once spotless, looked like a garbage dump.

My closet had been ransacked, several expensive couture gowns flung across the carpet,

a few filthy black shoe prints stamped over them.

On the vanity, every one of my limited-edition skincare products had been opened, some of them gouged out in big scooped clumps.

"Who told you two you could go into my room?" I turned, demanding it sharply.

Vanessa finally stood, her face full of irritation.

"What are you yelling for? My real mom's never used anything this nice in her whole life. So what if I gave her a few of your clothes and a couple jars of cream to try?"

"You've got money. Just buy more, right?"

"Besides, if you've really been reflecting, you should show a little sincerity. Consider all this your apology to my mom."

Looking at that face, so certain she was owed everything, I felt sick to my stomach.

"Get out." I pointed at the door.

"Now. This instant. Take your mother and get out of my house!"

Vanessa's expression shifted, and she was about to lash out when a smell hit me.

Grape scent!

Since I was a child I'd had a severe allergy to grapes and grape extract, severe enough to trigger acute asthma and shock.

Vanessa knew this.

Which was why nothing connected to grapes had ever been allowed in this house.

My breathing started to come fast and shallow, the air draining out of my lungs bit by bit.

"Who—who brought a grape diffuser in here?" I braced myself on the doorframe and forced the words out.

Louisa rose from the sofa, looking at me all innocence.

"I brought it. Vanessa said you're always under so much pressure at work, so I picked it out specially. It's wonderful for sleep."

My legs began to give, my vision blurring.

"Throw it out, throw it out now……" I clutched my chest, gulping for air.

But Vanessa just stood there, not moving, arms folded, watching me with a cold smile.

"Mom, can you stop putting on an act?"

"It's just a little grape diffuser. Nobody's making you eat grapes. How could you possibly react this badly?"

"This sob-story routine of yours is way too fake. You think you can force us out this way? Not a chance!"

I slumped weakly to the floor.

And just as my fingers were about to reach the hem of her dress, Louisa suddenly screamed.

"My leg!"