"Mom," I said, practically bouncing in my seat, "do you remember how she used to act all high and mighty? Like she was better than us? Look at her now!"The TV kept showing that clip of Eva being led to the police car, mascara running down her face like black tears. God, it was delicious. Each time
A smile spreads across my face as I get what she's saying. "And I'll be right there, won't I? The supportive friend who's always been around...""Exactly." Mom's smile is like a shark's now. "Men hate being alone. Especially men like Max who come from good families. He'll need someone to help him ma
# Chapter 31 Eva's Point of ViewI never thought I'd end up here.The guard pushed me into the cell without saying a word. The metal door made a loud bang as it closed behind me. I jumped at the sound, and my whole body started shaking. The cell was small, maybe eight feet by six feet, with gray w
"Well, isn't this interesting?" Sara said, walking right up to my cell. She smelled like expensive perfume the kind she always wore to make sure everyone knew how rich she was. "The perfect Eva Brown Graves, locked up like a common criminal.""What do you want, Sara?" I asked. I tried to make my voi
I heard the whispers start right away."There she is.""Look at her, acting all innocent.""I heard she did it for the money.""Poor Max..."I kept my eyes on the floor as I walked to my seat. The carpet was dark blue with little swirly patterns. I counted my steps. Anything to avoid looking at all
Sara was practically glowing from her seat. She watched Max yell at me with this little smile on her face, like she was watching her favorite TV show.The judge banged his gavel. The sound made me flinch."Mr. Graves," he said sharply. "That's enough."Max straightened his tie and took a deep breath
Chapter 32 The TrialEva's point of view I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror of the courthouse. My face looked pale and tired. Dark circles sat under my eyes from not sleeping for days. The orange jumpsuit they made me wear made me look even worse. My hands shook as I splashed cold wa
I wanted to look away, but I couldn't. It was like watching a car crash in slow motion."My grandfather took you in," Max continued. His voice got louder with each word. "He gave you everything. A home. A family. His trust." He paused, and I saw real pain flash across his face. "And how did you repa
Chapter 328 Sara's Point of View The morning headlines hit like physical blows: "FASHION'S SCANDAL GIRL IN LOVE AFFAIR WITH MANAGER" "SARA BROWN'S SECRET ROMANCE EXPOSED" "CRIMINAL'S DAUGHTER SEDUCES WAY TO SUCCESS" My hands shook as I scrolled through article after article on my phone. Someho
Chapter 327 Sara's Point of View Camera flashes greeted me the moment I stepped out of the mansion. They lurked behind bushes, crouched behind parked cars, shouted questions that made my skin crawl. "Sara! How often do you visit your parents in prison?" "Is it true you helped plan the murders?"
The backstage chaos of Paris Fashion Week swirled around Sara like a tornado. Models rushed between makeup stations, stylists shouted instructions in multiple languages, and someone nearby was having a meltdown about a broken heel. But Sara couldn't focus on any of it. The walls of the massive venue
The grand dining room of the Brown mansion sparkled with its usual Sunday elegance, but tonight the atmosphere crackled with unspoken tension. Crystal glasses clinked too loudly against china plates as the family attempted normal conversation around the elephant in the room. "Pass the potatoes?" Ev
Josh's Point of View The nightmares returned last night. Faces from my past, screams in dark alleys, blood on my hands that no amount of success could wash away. I jolted awake in my mansion suite, sheets tangled around me, heart pounding against my ribs. My phone showed three missed calls from
Eva's Point of View The Brown Enterprises conference room buzzed with barely contained hostility. Camera flashes popped like lightning as reporters jostled for position, their hungry eyes fixed on the empty podium. Behind the scenes, I watched Sara pacing, her face pale but determined. "You don't
Sara's Point of View The morning started like a dream. My first major runway show for Paris Fashion Week, everything I'd worked so hard to achieve finally coming true. I should have known it wouldn't last. Nothing good in my life ever does. The first hint came during makeup. Victoria Stone, superm
Sara's Point of View The morning started with an urgent text from Eva about a "childcare emergency." I rushed to the mansion, expecting chaos, only to find four suspiciously well-behaved children setting up what appeared to be a romantic picnic in the garden. "Aunty Sara!" Mia bounced over, her pr
"Operation Love Birds is now in session!" Mia declared, banging her plastic princess wand against her bedroom floor like a gavel. Her brothers gathered around in a tight circle, their faces serious with six-year-old determination. "Are you sure about the name?" Leo whispered, glancing at the door