ManyWriters

I sold my body to my husband, Cade Sterling.
One hundred thousand dollars. That was his price for a night with me. The only thing keeping our son, Leo, alive.
My stepmother whispered lies in his ear, and he believed them. He forced another woman into our bed while I was forced onto an operating table.
"You're pregnant," the nurse said, her voice a sterile blade. "Mr. Sterling has requested a termination."
Then, I was forced to watch my son Leo, my only reason for living, leap from a cliff to save me from further torment.
He was gone.
My husband had murdered our first child, and now our second. There was nothing left to live for.
In the cold, scarlet water of the bathtub, I finally let go.
But as darkness claimed me, I didn't know the truth was a far more cruel and twisted thing than I could have ever imagined.
And that Cade Sterling, my tormentor, was about to pay a price far greater than money could ever cover.

His Ruinous Price

“How else was I supposed to get you sent to prison? Threatening you to break up with Cade wasn’t enough. I needed you gone, permanently. I hope you enjoyed your five years of hell, Aria.”


Kendra’s face was a mask of pure, ugly hatred. All traces of her carefully constructed beauty had vanished.


“I’ve always hated you, Aria. Always. You think you’re so much better than me, always standing in my way. Everyone always thought you were so perfect. So I decided to destroy you.”


“You’re nothing now, Aria. Just a convicted felon. A murderer who killed her own father.”


“I may have killed Joshua Montgomery, but I only did it because he was your father. So really, his death is on you. You’re the root of all this misery. And not just your father. Leo is dead because of you, too.”


“I wouldn’t have had to touch him if he wasn’t your son. You need to understand, Aria. You’re the one who brings death to everyone you love.”


“You’re insane, Kendra!” The words were a strangled cry from Aria’s throat, her eyes turning a dangerous shade of red. This woman had destroyed so many lives and had the gall to blame her for it.


“Yes, I am insane! And it’s all because of you!” Kendra’s eyes scanned Aria’s face, a face whose beauty had always been a source of irritation. Even now, with a scar marring her cheek, she was still beautiful.


Kendra was determined to ruin her completely.


She took a deep breath, her composure returning. “You take care now, Aria,” she said, her voice dripping with condescension. “I’ll be sure to send you an invitation to the wedding.”


She was about to make her triumphant exit when a sudden, sharp laugh echoed through the room.


Startled, Kendra turned back. “What’s so funny, Aria?”


“Your stupidity, Kendra. It’s absolutely hilarious. And thank you for the confession. I really appreciate it.” Aria pushed herself into a sitting position. With a deliberate click, she unlocked her phone and hit play.


Their entire conversation, every damning word, played back into the silent room. The proof of Kendra’s crimes, straight from her own mouth.


The blood drained from Kendra’s face as she listened to her own confession.


Aria, meanwhile, seemed to come alive. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, a mocking smile on her face. “I was going to come to your wedding. But it looks like the bride might be spending her special day in a jail cell instead.”


“You bitch!” Kendra’s voice was a furious shriek. “You set me up! I’ll kill you for this!”


She lunged, her hands reaching for the phone.


But Aria was ready. She tossed the phone to Kendra with a casual air. “It’s too late. I’ve already sent the recording to a friend. I’m sure it’s in the hands of the police by now. You murdered my father. You murdered my son. A debt of blood must be paid in blood.”


The taunts finally pushed Kendra over the edge. Her rage exploded, and she launched herself at Aria, her fingers closing around her throat.


Aria knew she had to survive to see justice served. She pushed back, struggling to break free. It was at that exact moment that Cade burst through the door, his face a storm of fury at the scene before him.


Chapter 20