Chapter 5

I looked at Tyler with cold eyes.

This was the man who used to call me "sister-in-law" with a fake smile.

Now, he was barking like a rabid dog.

"She smashed it herself," I said.

My voice was flat.

Without a single shred of emotion.

"Cut the crap!" Tyler roared.

"Bianca is too sweet to ever destroy something Julian gave her!"

"You’re just consumed by jealousy! If you can't have it, you destroy it!"

Bianca sobbed right on cue.

She leaned weakly against Tyler’s leg.

"Tyler, don't blame Valerie."

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have accepted the violin."

"If I hadn't taken it, Valerie wouldn't have gotten angry, and the violin wouldn't be broken."

Her manipulative words.

Instantly set Tyler’s anger ablaze.

"Bianca, you’re too kind. That's why trash like her dares to step all over you!"

Tyler turned back.

His eyes gleamed with malice as he glared at me.

"Valerie, get on your knees!"

"Bow down and beg Bianca for forgiveness!"

"And then, you will pay back every single cent this violin is worth!"

I felt like I was hearing the most ridiculous joke in the world.

I couldn't help but chuckle coldly.

"Make me kneel?"

"Who do you think you are, Tyler?"

"Even if Julian stood right here, he wouldn't have the right to make me kneel!"

"SLAP!"

Before I could finish my sentence.

A heavy slap landed brutally on my face.

The sheer force of it.

Knocked me straight to the ground.

My ears rang violently.

The taste of metallic blood filled my mouth.

Holding my bruised cheek, I looked up.

And saw Victoria Vance, Julian’s mother, walking in.