Chapter 11

Pain and torment ripped through her mind—she blacked out. The man didn't stop, like a storm that just kept tearing her apart. Emily stayed in bed for three straight days, barely moving. Her eyes stared blankly at some point on the ceiling. No fear, no focus—like her soul had just vanished. If only this was just a nightmare. She wished so badly to wake up and rewind the clock, go back five years, before that car accident. When Sophie had her dragged outside, there wasn't a flicker of life in Emily's eyes. “Emily, check out the surprise I brought you,” Sophie said, sitting by the pond under a gazebo. There was a box on the table that made Emily's eyes narrow in shock. “Oliver…” It was Oliver's urn. A tiny spark lit up in her otherwise lifeless eyes. “Give it back! That's my brother—you have no right!” Emily lunged forward, only to get shoved to the ground by a bodyguard. She hit the floor, a complete mess. Sophie leaned down, murmuring by her ear. “Emily, you're nothing but a mutt. Why don't you just die?” Emily raised her head, staring back with bloodshot eyes. “What are you trying to do?” When she moved, the bruises James left on her neck were painfully visible. Sophie's face twisted instantly. James had touched this woman—right in front of her. All these years, unless it was those two situations she had planned, he never even laid a finger on her. She's done everything for him, and still, he cared about this woman? Sophie's nails dug deep into her palm. Her voice was sharp despite the fake smile curving her lips. “James said he wanted you to watch as this brat's ashes are taken care of—so you'd never forget.” All color drained from Emily's face. Sophie tapped the urn with her fingertips, her smile widening. “You really want it back? Crawl and clean the dirt off my shoes with your tongue. Then, maybe, I'll hand him over.” Emily's eyes turned red. She gritted her teeth. “Swear it.” Sophie raised an eyebrow. “Sure. I swear.” Emily's whole body trembled. Her fingers dug into her palms, leaving deep marks. Then, in front of everyone, she dropped to her knees at Sophie's feet—lowered her head—and started licking the dust off her shoes, bit by bit. Oliver, I wronged you in this life. In the next one, please stay far away from your sister. Don't let my mess ruin you again.Tears hit the stone path, her posture utterly humiliating. Laughter echoed around her, and the looks from the men were mocking and unkind. Emily couldn't fight back. She kept her head down, crushing whatever pride she had left. Sophie raised a heel and pressed it against Emily's face, the sharp tip almost slicing her skin. “Emily, you think James would still want you after seeing you like this?” A sharp, deep pain stabbed at her chest, threatening to pour out in blood. All her pain, all this disgrace—it all started because of him. James always knew how low she could be. She looked up at Sophie with calm eyes. “I did what you asked. Give me Oliver's ashes.” “Sure,” Sophie said, lifting her foot and picking up the box, waving it with a smirk. Emily's eyes didn't leave it, trying to climb up, but someone held her down. Panic surged in her chest. “Sophie, what are you doing? You swore!” “I did say I'd return them.” Sophie grinned. “But I didn't say how. Go fetch them yourself.” Then she opened the box and dumped Oliver's ashes into the pool. The fish swarmed, devouring the ashes without a pause. Emily went cold all over. “She wants the ashes? Then let her drink them,” Sophie hissed. The bodyguards grabbed Emily, dragged her to the pool, and shoved her head into the water. “No—!” She screamed inside. No— She couldn't drink that—that was her brother. That was Oliver! She kicked and fought, but the grip on her back didn't budge as her head was forced underwater. "Bubbling, gurgling—" The water broke around her as it rushed into her mouth and nose, clouding her world. Her eyes opened wide, her soul seemingly yanked right out. Just as she was suffocating, they yanked her head up again. Sophie slapped her roughly, laughing. “So? How's your brother's ashes taste?” “Ah!!!” Emily screamed, coughing violently and gagging, tears pouring down her face. The bodyguards let go, and she grabbed at her throat, completely broken. Sophie raised her hand. “Again—" “Go to hell with me, Sophie! Pay for what you did to my brother!” Emily lunged, grabbing Sophie tightly. They crashed into the water together. "Ah—" A scream tore through the air, followed by a massive splash.