Chapter 4

"Yes."

"Go live. Apologize."

Hunter grips my hand.

I stare at him. "Hunter. Did you not read the post?"

"I read it."

"Did you see her dump poison in my soup?"

"I saw it."

"Then why the hell am I apologizing?!"

"Videos can be faked."

I freeze. "The hospital chart literally says I lost the baby from ingesting a toxic substance."

"Sis, you'd use your own baby to guilt-trip Hunter. Who's to say you didn't swallow the pills yourself and pin it on me?"

"Yara, not everyone is a psycho like — "

I march at her.

Hunter yanks me back. "Apologize."

His fingers dig into my wrist. I wince. "And if I don't?"

His eyes narrow. "This is your last chance."

"No."

Hunter laughs, cold.

That night, he leaves with Yara.

The next morning, a subpoena hits my door.

I walk into court alone. Across the aisle sits Vaughn Corp's entire legal team — seven years of firepower, all pointed at me.

That night, Yara flashes the verdict on her livestream.

"Babies! Verdict's in! The little liar is going to jail!" She fake-sniffles. "But since she just lost a child, I want to give her one more chance."

"Yara, you're an ANGEL."

"Don't forgive her! Snakes always come back for more!"

"Right?! That baby was probably an abortion so she could play victim!"

Yara ducks her head, shy. "Well… technically she and Hunter aren't officially divorced yet. I'd hate for him to be hurt…"

The chat loses its mind.

My phone rings. Lulu.

"Willow, don't go home. Yara's fans are calling you the mistress. They're planning to jump you in real life."

I'm sitting in a coffee shop. The loss-verdict sits by my elbow. So does a stack of fresh evidence.

"Got it, Lulu. I'm sending you some files. Help me organize?"

"You're… you're not gonna sue her again, are you?"

"Damn right I am."

My fist tightens. Vaughn's lawyers knocked out my home footage. Fine. I'll build a bigger case. Independent lab tests. Yara's credit card records. Her travel history.

I'm putting the woman who caused my baby's death behind bars if it's the last thing I do.

"Okay. I'm with you. But Willow — what are you doing right now?"

I stand. "Going to move Noah's grave."

Because those rabid fans have my address. If they find my baby's grave…

I can't even finish the thought.

The fans aren't there yet. Thank God.

But when I reach Noah's little grave, it's already destroyed.

Yara stands over it, pinching her nose, waving at her guards. "Throw it all. Every scrap. Leave nothing."

"YARA!"

I sprint. Two guards catch me before I can reach her.

"Oh, sis." Yara smirks. "Hunter's letting me crash at your marital penthouse for streaming. But this ugly little grave is ruining my outdoor shots. Just doing you a favor. Xoxo."

The grave is two miles from the penthouse.

"Bullshit it's ruining anything!"

She smirks and turns away. "Keep going."

"STOP!"

I don't know where the strength comes from, but I break loose. I tackle her.

But I just had a miscarriage. She's stronger. She flips me off, grabs a shovel — "You bitch — "

"WILLOW!"

Hunter's voice.

Yara freezes.

Next second, she jams the shovel into my hands. Wraps both of hers over mine.

"Sis! I know Hunter cutting you off was my fault! But you can't dig up your own baby's grave just because you didn't get the money!"

Hunter runs up, panting. Sees us. Sees the shovel in my grip.

Yara's cheek is already red from where I hit her.

The next second—CRACK. Her palm slams across my face.

I hit the dirt.

Hunter's chest heaves. "I came out here worried those fans would find you. And you — Willow Sanders, you're this low?!"

Yara sobs. "Hunter! Take her away! She's going after her own baby's grave!"

"Hunter! Yara's the one digging it up!"

"ENOUGH!"

He grinds his teeth. "How long are you gonna keep pretending?!"

I go still.

Right. Even with security footage in his face, this man wouldn't believe me. My word alone? Please.

As long as Yara's standing there, she's the truth.

"Guys." Hunter softly strokes Yara's red cheek. "Ninety-nine slaps for my wife."

"What — Hunter — AH!"

They shove me to my knees. The guard's calloused hand cracks across my face. Blood fills my mouth.

"Hunter — cough — "

SLAP. SLAP. SLAP.

I can't speak. Everything blurs.

When they let go, I collapse.

Yara's phone is on me. "Sis, don't take this the wrong way. I'm a relationship guru. You're kind of my star case study. Gotta document this. For the girls at home."

She zooms in on my swollen face. "Ladies, THIS is what happens when you choose the snake life — "

"AH!"

I rip the phone from her hand.

I grab her collar. "You really got this close to me?"

Then I slam the phone into her nose.

Blood sprays.

"MY NOSE! MY NOSE!"

"WILLOW!"

Something hits me, and I go flying. My head cracks against the ground.

As I black out, I see Hunter tearing across the grass toward *her*.

I smile.

I hurt her.

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