Chapter 6

"Did you hear the Martinez family is marrying into the Romano family? We just had to come to the engagement party today, we couldn't possibly miss it!"

"I always said Kayla had what it takes. So much better than that ungrateful wretch, Karina."

When she saw me, the rest of her words died in her throat, and her expression soured.

At the family dinner, everyone rose to toast Kayla and Dominic, wishing them a lifetime of happiness together.

The sounds of celebration rang in my ears, and I couldn't stop myself from glancing at Dominic.

He showed no intention of explaining anything, still holding his glass with a calm, polite demeanor.

I couldn't stand it any longer, so I got up and went out to the garden.

Footsteps approached from behind me. Kayla had followed me out.

"Sister, you haven't been home in eight years. Leaving so soon after you've just arrived? That's rather rude, don't you think?"

"In that respect, you're just like that worthless mother of yours. You wouldn't know a golden opportunity if it was staring you in the face. No wonder you're destined to be poor forever! What a stupid fool!"

A sudden rage surged in my chest, and I glared at her coldly.

"What are you talking about? What happened to my mother before she died?"

"Oh, her..."

Kayla lowered her voice, settling onto a swing and beginning to rock back and forth.

"She found out there was a problem with the company's books and was going to report it. I was kind enough to offer her a large sum of money to just look the other way, but she refused. Tell me, what was I supposed to do with such an ungrateful employee?

“I don't make deals that lose me money. In the pool at our resort in Cancun, I just wanted to teach her a lesson. Who knew she'd be so stubborn? She struggled so hard, and before I knew it..." She mimed a sinking motion with her hand.”

"Before she died, her clothes were all torn, and she even knelt on the ground, begging me not to tell you. But I'm just too kind—how could I possibly keep such a secret from you?"

A smug, triumphant smile spread across her face.

I couldn't contain my rage any longer and lunged at her.

We clawed at each other, wrestling on the floor. Scratches quickly appeared on her skin, and blood beaded on her face.

"What are you two doing! Stop it!"

My father rushed over and, without asking what had happened, slapped me across the face again.

I completely lost control, my eyes red with fury as I roared at him:

"She murdered my mother! Don't I have the right to make her pay?!"

"Do you know what she did to my mom—"

Before I could finish, an even harder slap struck my other cheek.

The force of the blow left me completely dazed, and a tooth flew from my mouth.

"What about your mother? Do you have any proof? Who do you think you are, making such vile accusations!"

"Karina, is this how you were brought up?" I turned to Dominic, pleading with him to help me one last time for the sake of the eight years we had shared.

But he just gave me a cold glance.

His words were colder than ice.

“Karina, apologize. Don't make me say it twice!”

“Your mother’s death was caused by her own greed; it has nothing to do with Kayla. Are you satisfied now that you’ve made such an ugly scene?”

As his words fell, the surrounding members of the Romano family began to sneer.

“I heard Carlos’s ex-wife has been working odd jobs everywhere since the divorce. I guess it’s true?”

“So what if her husband had an affair? What man doesn't have a mistress? She should have just endured it. But no, now she's gone and gotten herself killed over a little bit of money. Serves her right!”

“Women… they’re all so shortsighted. It's one thing to be a fool herself, but to raise her daughter to be just as foolish…”

I knelt on the ground, the pain in my body nothing compared to the agony in my heart.

Dominic’s patience ran out, and his expression darkened completely.

“Karina, don't make me use force. Whether you leave with any dignity is up to you.”

My fingernails dug into the soil, blood seeping into the earth.

I slowly bowed forward, my forehead striking the hard granite planter.

“I’m sorry.” After saying "I'm sorry" ten times in a row, I slowly looked up, my vision blurred by tears, my gaze icy cold.

"Can I leave now?"

Dominic froze, surprised that I was being so obedient today.

That flicker of unease was quickly dispelled by Kayla's coquettish complaints.

"Go on, and don't cause any more trouble in the future."

But for us, there is no future.

I couldn't get a cab in the exclusive community, and just then, a blizzard started.

I walked for six miles through the blinding Chicago blizzard, finally reaching the cemetery.

Watching my mother's burial, the last trace of reluctance in my heart was severed.

At midnight, after the family dinner had ended, a message came from Dominic.

"Are you home? Why didn't you let me know?"

"You didn't eat tonight. I'm bringing you something. Be a good girl and wait for me."

"My assistant told me you didn't try on the wedding dress. Throwing a tantrum again? I'm bringing it for you to try on. Be good."

His tone was one of charity, no different from how one would speak to a stray cat or dog.

And yet, I had mistaken this for love.

I didn't reply. I just turned off my phone and tossed my iPhone into a trash can.

Then, without a single look back, I walked towards the boarding gate at O'Hare Airport.

Goodbye, Dominic Romano.