Chapter 2

A bucket of ice water was dumped over my head. My eyes flew open.

Family bodyguards forced me into an ill-fitting gown and dragged me roughly into the banquet hall.

Under the glaring crystal chandeliers, my wretched appearance was exposed to everyone.

"So this is the vicious woman who abused her own daughter to death?"

"She still has the nerve to show her face after getting out? How unlucky."

"The Don really brought this on himself, marrying a crippled madwoman like her."

Laughter rose from every direction, each sound landing like a slap.

Celeste walked over holding Pearl's hand. She wore a familiar white gown and looked radiant.

"Evelyn, you must have suffered so much." Celeste's eyes were red, her voice gentle.

I stared at the dress on her body. It was the same style I had worn on my wedding day with Vincent. My stomach turned.

Pearl suddenly threw herself into my arms and kicked my left leg hard.

Pain shot through me like a drill. I cried out and shoved her away.

Pearl used the momentum to fall to the floor and burst into tears.

"What are you doing?" My son rushed over and picked Pearl up.

"Didn't you spend enough time locked away? Now you won't even spare Pearl?" Vincent grabbed my wrist.

"This is an important occasion. I won't allow you to lose your temper again."

I struggled free and limped toward the doors.

Celeste's eyes reddened as if she were about to cry.

"Evelyn Hawthorne, abusing your own daughter was bad enough. Why won't you even spare innocent Pearl?"

"As someone Vincent treats like a sister, I shouldn't interfere in your family matters, but I truly can't stand by and watch this."

"Pearl is so little. How can your heart be so cruel?"

Her pitiful act drew sighs from the guests around us.

The big screen suddenly lit up.

Reporters bought off by the Moretti family swarmed around me.

"Ms. Evelyn, according to our investigation, your father repeatedly committed domestic violence, and your mother brutally killed him."

"Did you inherit your parents' violent tendencies? Is that why you murdered your own daughter?"

The screen flashed wildly, and their accusations were shoved in my face.

I froze in place as their voices drilled into my skull.

After a long while, I finally came back to myself and screamed myself hoarse.

"I was framed!"

"Celeste is not his sister. She is my husband's mistress. She inserted herself into our marriage."

"Pearl is her illegitimate daughter with Vincent. They are the ones who killed my daughter."

The entire hall fell silent.

Celeste's face turned white. Her body swayed, and she nearly collapsed.

Vincent quickly reached out and caught her in his arms.

Holding Celeste protectively, Vincent sighed.

"I'm sorry, everyone. My wife was traumatized while she was locked away. Her mental state has been unstable."

He turned and leaned close to my ear.

"Apologize to Celeste. Clarify that she isn't my mistress. Say you accused her because you were jealous."

I clenched my teeth and stared at him.

"Never."

Vincent unlocked his phone. A prepared message appeared in front of my eyes.

Destroy Elsie's ashes. Now.

My entire body shook. A chill shot from the soles of my feet to the top of my head.

"Vincent, you're insane. That's your own daughter."

"You won't do this. You won't."

Vincent looked at me coldly and pressed send without hesitation.

"No!"

I dropped to my knees, tears spilling from my eyes.

"I'm sorry. I was jealous of Celeste. I framed her."