The Jilted Heiress: Rising From Betrayal

t. Kalea Alexander opened her eyes, the stark white ceiling tiles swimming into focus before blurring again. Her hea

's face with a curiosity that felt invasive. It was the look people gave when they were trying to reconcile the woman in the hospital

tic, a harsh, buzzing sound that seemed to drill into Kalea's

It was a physical resistance, her body rejecting the impending interaction before her mind even processed

d. Her voice was a r

was no question about her health, no inquiry about why she was in a private hospital room on a Tuesday afternoon.

had nothing to do with the medication. She sat up, the room til

, forcing the words out through grit teet

. The press will be there. The Prestons will be there. We need a united front for the mer

ding in front of a floor-to-ceiling mirror in the family estate, surrounded by assistants fawning over her hemline, sipping spa

. It was the sound of something breaking,

lion," K

e on the other end-the clinking of silverware, the murmur of staff prepa

r asked, her voice

gainst the pillows, staring at the sterile wall. "My appearance fee is one million dollars. Sev

e phone. "You are an Alexander. You do not hold your family for ransom. After

an up my messes?" she whispered, the memory of a cold examination table and flashlights in her eyes

n, Eleanor's voice returned, cold as ice. "Fi

the phone, her chest heaving

mediate-access trust account linked to her name. An account Eleanor had set up, one s

to most people. To Eleanor, it was a nuisance fe

ll the nurse. She didn't hesitate. She ripped the tape o

turned into a trickle, running down the side of he

from the corner of the room with a gauze pad. "W

dn't feel the sting. She felt numb, a spreading coldness that

e swung them over the edge of the bed. She gripped the ma

ust have dropped off earlier. Kalea unzipped it. Inside was a dress that was undeniably beautiful and completely

k-hollow cheeks, pale lips, dark circles under eyes that looked too old

y layer, she painted over the exhaustion. Foundation to hide the pallor. Concealer to hide the

bang. The sound of rapid, angry high he

dead, I am going to kill y

nd comfort. She took one look at Kalea standing there in the icy blue gown, her face pa

You just had your stomach pumped. You're supposed

turned the screen toward Frida

a said, a humorless smile stretching h

o Haleigh's birthday? After you-" Frida stopped, her voice choking up. "I saw the Instagram post, Kalea. Haleigh posted a

om Frida, reaching back to pull the zipper of the dress up. It snagged for a

ng at her reflection one last time. "T