Chapter 4

Half an hour later, soaked to the bone, I slammed open the front door.

The lights inside were dim. Flickering candlelight cast two long shadows on the wall.

Chloe was raising her red wine glass, clinking it with Liam's. When she saw me, she feigned surprise, rising from her seat.

"Miss Reed, you're back?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, my clothes got soaked in the rain. Liam, being so kind, lent me your nightdress so I wouldn't catch a chill."

My gaze swept to Liam.

He sat at the dining table, still impossibly handsome, but his eyes were cold as ice.

As if I were merely an unwelcome intruder at their dinner.

"Why didn't you say you were coming back?"

His tone was indifferent, devoid of any concern.

I clenched my fists, fighting down a tidal wave of fury.

"This is my home. Do I need an invitation to come home?"

Chloe immediately interjected, her voice laced with a calculated hint of vulnerability. "Miss Reed, please don't misunderstand. I was just here to bring Mr. Hayes some files, and then it suddenly started pouring..."

My patience snapped. I cut her off. "Delivering files requires wearing my nightdress? And a candlelit dinner?"

"Get out!"

Chloe took a half-step back, pretending to be terrified, her eyes already welling up.

"I'm so sorry, it's all my fault... I'll just change out of this..."

As she spoke, her fingers deliberately fumbled with the buttons of the nightdress, agonizingly slow. She stole a glance at Liam.

Sure enough, Liam shot to his feet, shielding her.

"Avery, that's enough! Chloe is my guest. What right do you have to treat her like this?"

"Guest?" I scoffed. "Fine. If she doesn't leave, I will."

I turned and walked to the bedroom, haphazardly stuffing a few outfits into my backpack.

Liam started to rise, but Chloe tugged his sleeve, and he reluctantly sat back down.

As I passed the study, I pushed the door open, wanting to retrieve my mother's portrait.

But I stopped dead. The frame lay shattered on the floor, the glass splintered, and a huge footprint was stamped right across her face.

My blood ran cold.

"Who did this?"

My voice was low, suppressing the rage that was about to explode.

Chloe followed me, sidling up, feigning concern. "Miss Reed, I'm so sorry."

"I accidentally knocked the frame over after my shower. I'll buy you a new one."

"Accidentally?"

I slowly turned, staring at her hypocritical face.

"Was it an accident, Chloe, or did you deliberately stomp on it?"

Her expression froze for a moment.

Then she reverted to her pathetic, helpless look.

"I really didn't mean to, please don't be angry..."

Liam rushed over, his brow furrowed. "Avery, Chloe has already apologized. What more do you want?"

"It's just a picture of your mom, Avery. We can print another one tomorrow, frame it."

"She said it was an accident. Do you have to be so aggressive?"

That was it. The fuse lit, and my carefully contained rage exploded.

I lunged, grabbing Chloe by the collar and slamming her against the wall.

"Who the hell do you think you are, touching my mother's memorial picture?!"

A flicker of panic crossed Chloe's eyes.

But quickly, she squeezed out a few tears. "Miss Reed, I really didn't mean to!"

Liam charged forward, pulling at my arm.

"Avery! Are you crazy? Let her go!"

I ignored him, seizing a handful of Chloe's hair and slamming her head against the wall.

A sickening thud echoed, and instantly, a crimson bruise bloomed on her forehead. Blood streamed from her nose, dripping down her chin.

"Avery! Stop it!"

Liam shrieked, desperately trying to pull me away.

Chloe finally dropped her facade, her face twisting into a mask of pure hatred as she glared at me.

Her voice, still sickeningly sweet and innocent-sounding, whispered, "Miss Reed, you doing this... Liam will be so upset..."

"Upset?" I slammed her head against the wall again. "His feelings? I couldn't care less!"

Liam rushed over and wrapped his arms tightly around her, then turned to bellow at me. "Avery, you're completely irrational! We're over!"

"We're getting a divorce tomorrow!"

I delivered a stinging slap across his face.

"Liam, this isn't just about divorce anymore!"

"You can desecrate my feelings, but you will not insult my mother!"

"If I don't finish you two two-timing cheats today, I swear on my life!"