Chapter 5
Stunned silence followed Eliana’s story.
Then Grace, no longer restrained by Caleb, struck me across the face. “You monster!” she screamed. “How could I have given birth to
someone so vicious?”
I couldn’t help but smirk at the absurdity. How could I ever treasure two sadists like them?
Eliana’s story was mostly true. She’d just projected her own actions
onto me.
The reality? Eliana was the one who’d always coveted what was mine, including Caleb.
Initially, Grace had tried to arrange my marriage to him for money.
Despite being 20 years my senior, Caleb was wealthy, handsome, and had a spotless reputation.
Grace, despite her disdain for me, wouldn’t have arranged a terrible match for her biological daughter.
If words got out that I was mistreated, it would cause gossip and tarnish Eliana’s reputation.
But Eliana had stolen Caleb for herself. After their marriage, she’d lived in luxury while spreading rumors that painted me as promiscuous.
Her smear campaign was so effective that even elderly bachelors
Chapter 5
didn’t want me.
When I confronted her, she’d simply suggested I examine my own behavior.
2/3
A few years into the marriage, karma caught up with her. Caleb revealed his true nature, subjecting her to endless abuse. Their daughter Zoey developed violent tendencies.
Trapped between her sadistic husband and disturbed child, Eliana hatched her escape plan.
She would sacrifice me to take her place while she enjoyed a new life funded by my money.
Since she’d never divorced Caleb, she remained his legal heir, positioning herself to claim his fortune after his death.
Of course, none of the people present knew any of this. They readily joined Grace in condemning me.
Caleb seized the opportunity to pressure me into marrying him.
I watched their performance with detached amusement.
When the commotion finally died down, I spoke up, “Mom, if you truly believe I hired hitmen to kill Eliana, why not call the police?
“Attempted murder should put me away for quite a few years.”
Grace stammered, “This is a family matter. We don’t need to involve the police.”
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situation.
3/3
“Too much?” I scoffed. “We’re talking about attempted murder. If we don’t resolve this today, imagine the scandal when word gets out that our family harbors a killer.”
Grace tried desperately to smooth things over. “It’s all a misunderstanding. Everyone here is family or a friend. No one will say anything.”
Ignoring Caleb’s darkening expression, Eliana rushed to claim she’d made a mistake. The attackers had just happened to be there, and she’d foolishly believed rumors about my intentions.
I pretended to accept their backpedaling, playing along with their act.
But this wouldn’t end here. Even if they convinced me, Caleb wouldn’t be so easily fooled.
B
