Chapter 7

[ LIANA'S POV ]

I placed the three letters I had written for Zane on the table. By the time he read them, I would be long gone.

Like he wanted, I got dressed in one of the outfits he had previously bought for me.

Just as I stepped out of the bedroom, Zane marched towards me with Selena and his mother.

He shoved me hard against the wall.

“After everything I've done for you. This is how you repay me?!”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, confused, struggling to balance myself back up on my two feet. But his mother shoved me hard against the wall again. I winced out in pain this time.

“You plotted with someone to set the hall on fire last night just to test my loyalty for you. You must have lost your mind to carry out such an evil act! People almost lost their lives in that fire! My Selena got so traumatized because of it!” Zane snapped.

Selena clung to his arm dramatically, her fake tears already staining her cheeks.

“Zane, don’t waste your breath on her. Can’t you see she’s dangerous? You are losing your mind, Liana. I really think you need help. I did nothing wrong for you to despise me this much. Something needs to be done before you take the lives of innocent people, including me and my kids.”

“I agree. You should be locked up in a mental hospital for the rest of your life, you evil being!” Zane's mother chimed in, her eyes burning with contempt.

I pressed my lips together and refused to say anything as they all threw insults at me. It wasn't like they were going to hear me out anyway, so why even bother?

“Look at her, just sitting there like she’s the victim.” Selena sneered, folding her arms. “You want pity, Liana? You won’t get it from me. Not after what you did. I almost died from the smoke. My kids could have been motherless because of what you did. You really don't care about this family.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I finally muttered, my voice low and my back still aching from the push.

“Don’t play dumb with me!” Zane roared, stepping closer until his face was inches from mine. His breath was hot with anger.

“Do you think I can’t see through your schemes? Always pretending to be innocent while causing chaos behind the scenes. You disgust me. You’ve always been jealous, always insecure, always looking for ways to tear us apart. Admit it, Liana!”

His mother jabbed a finger in my face. “I warned my son about you. I told him nothing good would come out of keeping a snake in this house.”

“Snake?” I scoffed quietly, shaking my head. “Funny coming from you.”

Selena gasped, clutching her chest like I’d cursed her. “Zane, did you hear that? She just threatened your mother!”

Zane slammed his hand against the wall beside me, making me flinch. “Enough! You think your smart mouth will save you? You’ve crossed the line this time, Liana.”

My back resting on the wall, I sat quietly on the floor and watched as Zane continued to shout at me.

“Now you have once again stained the name of this family. I've been summoned because of your devilish act. You will be locked up in this house until you realize just how foolish your actions were. Don’t think you’ll get away with it, I’ll deal with you when I return.” Zane spat, his voice dripping with hatred.

He stormed out with his mother.

“You will suffer!” Selena spat at me before following along, tossing her hair back like a triumphant queen.

The front door slammed. I heard their car drive off, and suddenly the mansion was quiet once more.

I crawled back to the room and dialed Draven’s number. He picked up immediately.

“Mama, what’s going on?”

“Forget waiting, and do it now, Draven. Send out the files. I want the chaos to start and I want their lies to be exposed. They deserve to drown in their own mess. And I want to see their so-called empire crumble behind me as I disappear,” I said, my voice stripped of warmth.

Draven exhaled on the other end, then chuckled darkly. “All set, sweetheart. The private jet is waiting outside for you. Safe flight.” He said before ending the call.

With a surge of energy and excitement, I jerked up to my feet, grabbed my bag, and exited the house at once. My heels echoed against the marble floor as if even the mansion knew I was walking away for good.

The private jet was waiting outside.

The pilot himself stood by the stairs, bowing respectfully.

“We’ve been expecting you, Madam. Good to see you.”

I tightened my grip on my bag and walked straight toward the jet. My heart raced, not with fear this time, but with anticipation.

Inside, the jet was luxurious with cream leather seats and golden fixtures. A slight peak at how extremely wealthy Draven was.

The moment the jet’s engines roared to life, I sank into the seat, exhaling deeply.

As the jet took off into the sky, I smiled proudly to myself. I was finally free. Zane and his family had no idea about the storm coming for them.