Chapter 2

Leslie suddenly snatched the gun from Samuel's hand and aimed it right at her. A twisted grin tugged at Lydia's lips, filled with both satisfaction and cruelty. "Hah! People always said you were just a pretty face, nothing but a decorative doll in the Green family. Looks like they were spot on. You want to know who your real brother is before you die? Let me clear that up-you're not even really one of us. You were just some stray the family picked up. If it weren't for your talent in art and design, do you really think we'd have taken you in? All these years, everyone treated you like the third daughter of the Green family-you stole all the love that should've been mine! I've had it with you." Something snapped in Leslie's mind, like a wire stretched too tight finally breaking. She remembered Vivian Green, that graceful and untouchable woman she'd called "Mom" for over twenty years. ***** "Leslie, I know it's unfair, but you're the one I love most. Sending you to Broderick... we didn't want to, but he forced our hand. If we don't take him down first, he'll destroy the entire Green family. Once the Ackerleys fall, we'll bring you home." Four years ago, the Greens handed her off to Broderick under the guise of a marriage alliance-she became his wife. But Leslie couldn't stand him. Because Vivian had told her Broderick had forced their family into that decision-either hand her over or be ruined. No place in all of Aurelia would have been safe for the Greens. So Leslie went, dragging all her resentment and thirst for revenge with her. "The whole family lied to you, made you think you belonged. Made you believe you were cherished. We built you up just to break you down!" They'd spoiled her into being difficult and reckless-just to turn her into a time bomb ready to detonate next to Broderick. "Oh Leslie, the plan was perfect. You were supposed to ruin Broderick, and then we were going to toss you to that fat old perv who buys women like wine-aged and disposable. But nope, you screwed it all up by falling for him. Tried to spare his life even. And now, you even chase after him like you're some kind of hero. Too bad you're too late. But hey, maybe I'll be generous-let you two die together." Lydia's smile turned colder, more mocking, as she pulled the trigger. Leslie didn't flinch. She just sat there, frozen and hollow. Bang! The shot rang out-but it didn't hit her. No one knew when, but the barely conscious man had thrown himself in front of her, taking the bullet. As his still-handsome face showed a faint smile, Leslie let out a choked sob. "Broderick!" This wasn't supposed to happen. He shouldn't have... Even in this moment, he was still protecting her. Jealousy flickered across Lydia's face. What did Leslie have? Just a pretty face? Broderick would rather love a spoiled, reckless Leslie than someone like her! "Run... just go..." Broderick forced the words out, blood spilling from the gunshot through his chest. Leslie's trembling hands pressed down on the wound. "I won't. I dragged you into this. If someone has to die, I'll die with you." But before she died, she'd take down Samuel and Lydia with her! She stood up. Crack. Lightning split the sky above, casting the world in sharp, blinding white. Her stunning face turned icy, a fierce rage burning behind her eyes as she moved toward Lydia and Samuel step by step-like an avenging ghost crawling out of hell. Lydia's throat bobbed nervously as she swallowed, quickly pulling the trigger again, firing two shots right at Leslie.