Chapter 3

The Bennett house was dead silent at night. The mansion's decor was an odd mix of East and West - classic redwood furniture sat right under glittering crystal chandeliers. Walking across the plush wool carpet, Sabrina felt like a complete stranger in this huge house. The towering ceilings felt endless yet oddly suffocating, making her feel like a floating leaf with no roots. She pulled back the velvet, lake-blue curtains. Outside, a neat lawn, a sleek pool, and beyond them, the never-ending ocean. Staring at her reflection in the glass, Sabrina stood there in a daze. The woman looking back was young and beautiful, but the heavy frown and subtle sadness between her brows said otherwise. She lifted a hand and gently touched her own face, expression a little lost. "Well, look who finally came to life! Our dear young madam woke up!" A snarky voice cut through the silence. Sabrina turned. A girl in a tight mini-dress with heavy makeup was side-eyeing her. Simone Bennett strutted over in stiletto heels, long legs on full display, her perfume thick and cloying. "Guess you're pretty tough, huh? After the beating you took, we all figured you'd be in a coma - or dead," Simone chuckled lowly. Sabrina just stared at her, no response. "Tsk. Looks like you've lost your curves. So flat now - guys hate that, you know." Simone grinned and added with fake surprise, "Oh, right, you've already got someone else, haven't you? We totally underestimated you, Sabrina. Sneaking around behind my brother's back? Wow, didn't take you for the type." Then, out of nowhere, Simone reached out, aiming for her chest. Sabrina's brows shot up as she slapped the hand away fast and hard. Simone's hand hung mid-air for a second before she scowled, clearly pissed. "You still think you're the lady of the house or something? Throwing attitude at me? Trash!" Sabrina didn't even look at her as she turned to leave, clearly not in the mood to argue. But Simone wasn't about to let it go. She blocked her path with a bitter laugh. "I'm talking to you! Who said you could leave? You're nothing now - practically a maid. If I tell you to clean the toilets, you better get scrubbing. Got it?" Sabrina stopped, turning back. Simone was shaking with rage, her expression twisted with hatred and delight - as if putting Sabrina down was her favorite sport. Chin lifted high, Simone stepped in even closer, eyes brimming with disdain. "Cassian's dropped you, so now you're throwing yourself at other guys? Wow. Just wow. But you know what, makes sense - rotten roots lead to rotten branches. You're just like your mom. Trash breeds trash." Sabrina's eyes narrowed slightly. Loud, annoying. That was all she thought. "Hello? You deaf or just playing dumb? I'm saying you and your mother are both dirty whores!" Simone leaned in, jabbing a finger at her face, spitting out each insult with extra venom. But before she could feel satisfied, pain shot up her wrist. Simone gasped - Sabrina had her arm in a tight grip, eyes cold. Furious, Simone tried to strike back, but before she could react, Sabrina shoved her away, hard. Simone crashed to the floor with a loud thud. Humiliated and seething, she scrambled to curse when suddenly- panic. She clutched her throat, eyes wide in shock. Nothing came out. No sound. Her face turned red as she tried to scream - but not a word escaped. She stared at Sabrina, stunned. That useless weakling had dared to fight back, dared to shove her? Not only that, Sabrina's grip had been surprisingly strong - too strong. Simone's chest tightened with fear. That girl shouldn't even be standing. She had totally stopped breathing that night. Everyone said she was gone. But now - back from the dead? A chill ran down her spine. Still clutching her throat, Simone turned and fled without saying another word.