Ninety-Nine Letters, A Thousand Lies

Burri

en panic, darted from the papers to Cooper's ashen face, then

sually so saccharine, was now sharp, laced

wrist. My grip, surprisingly strong, stung her skin. My arm, still

d. She tried to pull away. Her flailing ha

k. My cheek burned. But the

ist. Her face contorted in a theatrical display of pain. "Look w

d. The concern for me, a fleeting shadow, vanished. He rushed to Kennedy' s si

blazing with accusation. "Aubrey, what the hell is

he air. A fresh stab of pain

r his shoulder, held a chilling triumph. "About your... family. The Olsens. I' m thinking of changing my

lsen Corporation letter. The DNA results. "There's nothing to discuss, Kennedy. Or, shou

Her eyes wide with

e an entire identity. Or manipulated a man into a fraudulent marriage. Or tried to claim a fortune that

with malice. "Cooper told me everything! He told me he hated you! He told me he married you only to keep yo

pierced my heart. They only strengthened my resolv

ontempt. "Always trying to be someone you're not! Always clinging to

And you, Kennedy Patel, are nothing but a thief. A con artist. And a fraud." I threw the DNA r

document. Her face d

ed with a chilling promise. "And when they do, you'll lose ev

mal. Her hands clawing at my face. But Coop

ked at him. Her voice filled with panic. "Co

sk of betrayal. Then he looked at m

d said what I needed to

Her voice hoarse. "You can't do this to me! Yo

old. "Every single piece of it. From my d

special? You think you just get to waltz in and claim everything? I earned this!

ocked. A chill ran down my spine.

nt 'missing'? The night before the final review? That wasn't an accident." Her voice was a low, triumphant whisper. "I broke in

s ago, now came into sharp focus. The crushing despair.

no one ever questioned my 'genius.' He loved me, Aubrey. He always

didn't break me. They only solidified the

ed bitch," I snarled.

ps. My hands flew out. Gripping her by the hair

Pulling me away. His grip on

r stomach. "My baby! My baby!" she wailed. A fresh tor

He shoved me back. Hard. I stumbled. Falling ag

ing with a dangerous fury. "Get out of my

abbed me. Their hands like iron clamps. Pulling me from the room. Down the stai

ir grip was too strong. They shoved me into the study. Th

d. My heart hammered.

th the door, I saw a shadow.

No water. My phone, my lifeline, was gone. My credit cards,

ennedy' s. Laughing. Embracing. A slideshow of their newfound bliss. Their public appearances. Kennedy, draped in expensive g

ey were trying to break me. To make me watch my own destruction. But I

ed no escape. Only nightmares. Of Cooper's betrayal. Of Ken

rds. He didn't speak. Just gestured. The guards grabbed me. My limbs, weak and unresponsive, offe

red past. My head lolled against the windo

mansion. Lights blazed. Music drifted through the a

ds a private room. They shoved me inside. It was dimly lit. A single figure

ounded. Wh

e table beside her. And the faint, sickly

haze, sparked with a terrifying realizat

Towards the unconscious woman. I stumbled. My h

. The sound of a

d in the corner. Holding a camera. Taking

s. What was happening? Why was h