Chapter 3

Carmen’s heart attack slammed the Wilson family like a wrecking ball, turning everything to chaos.

Emery wanted to have a real talk with Aubree, but that got kicked to the courts.

Daston, though, was quick to throw shade, blaming Aubree for Carmen’s collapse. He was dead set that Aubree freaked Carmen out by showing her down the stairs on purpose, then pulled a crocodile tears apology to mess with her head, triggering the attack.

In her upstairs bedroom, Aubree sprawled on the bed while Carmen got rushed to the hospital.

The butler was busy shooing party guests out the door.

School was starting in two days, and since Aubree wasn’t going the artsy route, she needed to ping her teachers to switch back to regular classes.

No way was she reliving her old life, playing doormat for Carmen’s climb to fame.

Last time, Carmen’s grades couldn’t cut it for Rithol Art School, but Aubree’s win at a national art contest scored her a free ride. The Wilsons strong-armed her into being Carmen’s ghostwriter, even if it meant torching her own future.

By some fluke or Carmen’s dumb luck—it worked out.

But that was just the start.

In college, everything Aubree earned got slapped with Carmen’s name. She fought back, but the Wilsons had her pinned. Step out of line, and they’d cut her cash flow, leaving her high and dry.

This time, Aubree’s plan was simple: stack her own money. With enough dough, she could call her shots.

She was itching to see if Carmen could still play the “world-famous genius painter” without her doing the heavy lifting.

Drained, Aubree passed out. She woke to a sharp stab in her gut, face pale as a ghost, sweat dripping like rain onto the sheets.

“Damn, this hurts.” Gritting her teeth, she dragged herself up, clutching her stomach, reaching for the painkillers in the cabinet.

The Wilsons barely fed her, and it had wrecked her stomach. She’d been stuck tailing Carmen all day, “protecting” her, and hadn’t eaten a crumb.

The family was out for dinner, and the maids? They didn’t give a damn if she starved.

Before she could grab the pills, the door got pounded like a drum.

A maid barked that her dad wanted her at the hospital to grovel to Carmen.

Hunched over, stomach screaming, Aubree slid into the car for the hospital, face white as death.

“Another apology? How much more do I owe Carmen, anyway?” she thought bitterly. “What is her game this time?”

Head against the window, eyes closed, Aubree was done caring. Whatever Carmen wanted to take, let her try—she had nothing left to lose.

Aubree trudged into Carmen’s hospital room, barely opening the door when a sharp slap cracked across her face—no warning, no mercy.

“You little brat! Can’t stand your sister doing okay, huh?” The guy in the fancy suit, all proper and polished, had eyes burning with rage that didn’t match his vibe.

It was like she wasn’t his daughter—like she was his worst enemy.

“Ahem… Ahem…” Aubree straightened up, touching her stinging cheek. Blood suddenly filled her mouth.

This guy was her so-called dad, Ronald.

Ronald glared, with her brother Daston right behind, shooting her the same nasty look. “Carmen’s hurt bad, you’re done?” Daston snapped.

Carmen lay in the hospital bed, hand held by Emery, giving Aubree this fake, sad stare, like she was heartbroken.

Aubree let out a bitter chuckle. She saw it now why she was here.

In her old file, her dad skipped Carmen’s big day for some big deal meeting. Guilt already eating him, he came home to hear Aubree “pushed” Carmen.

Without thinking, he’d beat her senseless with the family’s “discipline” and gave her inheritance to Carmen.

She didn’t know what went down this time, but it was probably the same deal. Another excuse to make her the bad guy to baby Carmen.

But really?

“What’d I do?” Aubree stared down Ronald.

“Did I hurt Carmen? Break her? Why are they acting like I owe them her life!” she fumed internally.

Her tone set Ronald off. “What’s that attitude?”

He felt disrespected. And he raised his hand for another slap.

Aubree’s stomach was screaming, but somehow she grabbed his wrist mid-swing.

She shot back, “Did I say something wrong? Did Daxton or Emery see me shove Carmen? No! You just think I did it, so that’s the truth. You won’t ever check the freaking cameras!”

She yelled, letting her anger spill.

The old Aubree would’ve cried or begged. She’d never fought back like this. Everyone froze.

“You didn’t watch out for Carmen, and that’s on you!” Daxton barked, face red. “Then you pull out those gifts to rub it in? Trying to mess with her heart or what?”

Ronald’s face was ice. “Apologize.”

“We talked with your brothers,” he said. “Your inheritance? It’s Carmen’s now.”

Carmen, tucked in Emery’s arms, made a weak show of sitting up. “No, Dad, I’m fine. It’s not Aubree’s fault. Just a ‘sorry’ is enough.”

Look at her, playing the angel, Aubree smirked. “Say sorry? That’d be like saying I meant to mess with Carmen. No way."

“Shut up!” Aubree glared at Carmen. “Sorry? Dream on.”

“Watch out for Carmen? Am I her mom? The maid? She’s grown—does she need me babysitting her? Since when’s that my job?” She dropped her hand from her aching stomach, standing tall.

Emery started to speak, noticing Aubree’s pale visage. He wanted to calm things down.

Aubree didn’t let him. “Even if I scared Carmen by mistake, I brought those pricey gifts to make up for it. And that’s still my fault? That’s nuts, right?

“Why’d you even bring me back to this family?”

Everyone knew they played favorites. Aubree just said it out loud, and the Wilsons' faces tightened, egos stung.

“Check the cameras. If I pushed Carmen, I’ll do more than kneel—I’ll give her my life," she added.

Carmen’s eyes widened, panicked.

She’d been so sure her dad and brothers would back her up. She didn’t even hide it. The footage would show she threw herself down the stairs when she heard Daston coming.

“No need for that," Carmen’s voice spiked.

She caught herself, clutching her chest, “Dad and the boys have done enough for me. Checking cameras is too much hassle. I just tripped, okay?”

Daston melted. “Your stuff’s never a hassle, Carmen.”

Ronald’s frown deepened, eyes full of disappointment. “We didn’t think you’d turn out like this, Aubree.”

She was sick of hearing that.

Her stomach burned like fire, pain overwhelming. Sweat dripped down her face.

Aubree squinted, Emery’s lips moving in a blur. Her ears buzzed, vision went black, and she collapsed.

Emery remembered how fiercely Aubree returned those gifts. He was about to suggest checking the footage when she passed out. His heart lurched. “Aubree!”

Dropping Carmen, he scooped her up, panic hitting hard. He turned to Ronald. “Dad, we need to check those cameras.”