Chapter 3

The place went dead quiet. Nobody drew a breath.

Julian stared at me, his eyes wide. "What the hell did you say? We're done?"

His gaze swept the surroundings, finally landing on the corner.

Cole, the young assistant from the near clinic, stood there, sleeves rolled up, watching me with pity.

Julian's mouth twisted into a cold sneer.

"So that's it. You're lying to me just to run off with him, aren't you?"

"You're insane," I spat.

Julian let out a dry, humorless chuckle.

"Fine. If Maya is really dead, I'll let you go. But if she's breathing..."

"You are never leaving me. Even when you die, you go into the Vance family vault."

He stepped closer. "Now, how do I end this little game of yours?"

I met his gaze. Didn't flinch.

Then a raspy mew broke the silence from the corner.

Serena's eyes lit up. She leaned close to Julian, her hand resting on his shoulder, whispering in his ear.

"Julian, that's Maya's cat. She rescued it when we were in Boston. She'd never let anyone hurt it."

Julian looked at the skinny, matted ragdoll cat near the crates. His brow furrowed.

Serena noticed it and quickly withdrew her hand, looking down at her diamond rings.

"You must think I'm a monster, Julian. Suggesting we use a cat."

Julian looked back at me, smirking. "Nora was willing to put Maya in a pine box to play a trick. A cat is nothing."

I froze—then lunged for it. That cat was all I had left of Maya.

Serena flicked her eyes at the soldiers. They had me before I moved. Pinned me in place.

I watched the cat squirm in a soldier's grip, its tiny paws clawing at the air.

"No—!" I screamed. "Julian, stop it!"

My protest only earned me more mockery.

Serena tilted her head. "Aw. Did you actually think you could keep something?"

"Show her what happens."

One of the guards stepped forward, grabbed the cat by its scruff, and threw it hard against the floor.

Bang.

The wet, heavy thump echoed off the metal walls. A low whimper came from the matted fur.

My blood went cold.

Julian didn't look at me. He walked over to the pine box, his leather shoes clicking on the concrete.

He looked down at Maya.

"Maya," Julian said, his voice flat. "You wanted this thing. You found it in the alley. You told me you'd protect it. Now it's dying. "

"Get up, and I'll have the vet save it. Stop playing games with your mother."

Nothing moved.

Maya lay still, her chest flat.

Julian's jaw ticked. "Look at what your mother turned you into. A cold, cruel brat. Letting an animal die just to keep up a lie."

He gestured to the guard. "Do it again."

I lunged forward, but two guards caught my arms, slamming me hard onto my knees. My joints cracked against the concrete.

"Stop! Please—please, I'm begging you." My throat closed around the words.

Tears streaked my face—hot and helpless—and I couldn't wipe them away. The soldiers had pinned my arms behind my back.

I could only stand there, crying like a child, while they took the last thing Maya ever touched.

Bang.

The guard picked up the cat and threw it a second time.

A sharp, broken screech cut through the room. Then, silence.

The cat lay on its side, its glassy eyes fixed on the damp wall, completely still.

My chest hollowed out. The air finally broke through my throat, raw and burning.

"Julian! You monster!" I screamed, my voice cracking.

Julian froze. He looked down at the dead animal, then slowly turned his gaze back to me.

His hand shook slightly as he adjusted his coat.

"You're raising your voice at me, Nora?" he whispered, his lips trembling.

"Six years. In six years, you never once raised your voice to me. And now you're screaming at me in front of my men. For a cat?"