The morning sun spilled softly through the gauzy curtains of Kimberly's room, bathing the space in warm light. A soft breeze rustled the leaves outside as Ana stepped into the familiar room beside Harry, her fingers laced with his.
Kimberly was sitting upright in her custom wheelchair by the window, her honey-brown hair loosely braided, a soft blanket draped across her legs. The second she spotted her brother, her entire face lit up.
"Harry!" she squealed, beaming with joy.
He chuckled and rushed to her side, crouching down to pull her into a gentle hug. "Miss me that much, Kim?"
"I was counting the days!" she said,
Harry tightened his arms around her as much as her body allowed. "You always disappear on these mysterious 'business trips' and return looking more like a CEO and less like my awkward big brother."
Harry laughed, ruffling her hair. "I'll always be your awkward big brother, whether I'm in a boardroom or a jungle."
Ana smiled at the sibling bond as Kimberly's sharp eyes suddenly turned toward her. "And you brought my favorite girl. Reina! You look so beautiful today!"
Ana flushed a little, brushing her hair behind her ear. "It's just a simple dress…"
"Oh, please," Kimberly grinned mischievously. "I see the glow on your face. Must be all that quality time with my brother. Admit it, you missed him."
Harry raised a brow in amusement while Ana's cheeks turned a shade darker. "Maybe a little," she mumbled.
"Ha! I knew it," Kimberly said, triumphant. "Harry, if you don't treat her like a queen, I swear I'll roll over your foot."
"I wouldn't dare try anything less," he said, placing a light kiss on Ana's forehead.
"Okay, okay, enough flirting in front of the paralyzed girl," Kimberly teased, lifting a hand. "But watch this!"
She wiggled her fingers, something Harry had already known she could do. But then, slowly, Kimberly slowly moved her toes.
Harry's eyes widened. "Wait… you can move them?"
"Two toes on each foot. The left one's better than the right," she said proudly. "The doctor thinks there's hope. Maybe I'll walk again someday."
He stood up and took her hand, his voice low with emotion. "You will, Kim. I believe in you."
Reina smiled, tears brimming in her eyes. It was a rare sight to see Harry this vulnerable, this moved.
Moments later, the trio headed toward the grand mansion to see the Old Madame. Unbeknownst to them, from a distance, Axel stood silently. His arms were folded, his eyes locked on Harry with a look that darkened with each passing second.
So that's him, he thought. The man who bought her smile…
His jaw clenched.
The big mansion was as cold and pristine as ever, but the atmosphere shifted as soon as Harry entered. Servants scurried about, casting glances of awe and admiration. In the main hall, the Old Madame rose slowly from her ornate chair, her face blooming into a rare smile.
"My beloved grandson," she whispered, stretching her arms.
Harry strode over and knelt slightly, pressing a kiss to her knotted hand. "Have you been well, Grandmother?."
She cupped his cheek lovingly. "You're the only one who brings life into this house."
Sasha, standing a few paces away, watched with a carefully painted smile. Her long curls were styled perfectly, and her perfume lingered in the air like a sweet trap. As Harry stood and turned toward her, she stepped forward eagerly.
"Harry," she cooed. "You look so well. I missed you terribly."
His eyes met hers for a brief, icy moment. "Sasha."
And nothing more.
Her smile faltered.
Trisha stood near the grand staircase, dressed in demure tones, her posture tense but contained. She gave Harry a small nod but said nothing. After her last tantrum and the old Madame's threat to send her packing, she was walking on eggshells.
Ana stayed quietly near Harry's side, but even in silence, she drew attention. Her dress was simple but elegant and around her neck sparkled a brilliant diamond necklace.
Sasha's breath caught. Her smile froze.
That necklace.
The necklace.
It wasn't just jewelry. It was the heirloom passed down to the wife of the heir. She had dreamed of wearing it. She had hinted at it, pleaded for it, deserved it. And Harry had refused her.
Now it rested on Ana's neck like a crown.
A nobody. A girl with no lineage, no prestige, no legacy. Wearing her necklace.
Hatred bloomed inside her, hot and uncontrollable.
As if sensing the storm brewing, Ana excused herself politely to the restroom.
Sasha followed moments later.
The water trickled gently on Ana's hands as she washes them. Sasha's heels clicked on the floor behind her.
"Ana," Sasha said, her voice like silk laced with venom.
Ana glanced up. "Oh. Hello."
"You're looking radiant today," Sasha said, inching closer. "That necklace is exquisite. Truly stunning."
Ana shifted slightly. "Thank you," she replied awkwardly, drying her hands. "Harry gave it to me."
Sasha's smile didn't move. "I know."
Ana offered a small, polite smile and reached for the door. "Well, I should get back..."
Sasha grabbed the edge of the counter and stared at her reflection for a beat, her expression morphing the second Ana's back was turned.
Her smile vanished. Her eyes narrowed into slits.
The door closed softly behind Ana, unaware of the viper coiling behind her.
Sasha stared into the mirror, her nails digging into her palm.
I'll kill you before I let you take what's mine.
Sasha slammed her bedroom door shut so hard the paintings on the wall trembled. The sound of crashing glass echoed a second later as she hurled a crystal perfume bottle across the room. It shattered against the wall, leaving behind a jagged stain of rose-scented fury.
Her chest heaved.
Her face was twisted, eyes wide, lips trembling between a snarl and a sob.
"That nobody," she spat, pacing like a caged animal in her lavish suite. "That worthless, pathetic girl wearing my necklace. MY future!"
She ripped off her earrings and flung them blindly across the room. One struck a vase and sent it toppling.
"I was supposed to be the daughter-in-law!" she screamed. "I was born for it! Groomed for it! I waited years for Harry to come back to me and now she...she....waltzes in from the gutter and steals everything!"
She grabbed the nearest pillow and screamed into it, muffling her voice just enough before throwing it down again. Her long curls clung to her sweaty face as she collapsed onto the floor, fists slamming the rug repeatedly like a tantruming child.
"I gave him everything! I was perfect. I smiled when I wanted to scream. I played the part....played the part!"
She crawled toward the massive dressing mirror and stared at herself. Her makeup had begun to smudge, black eyeliner running like shadows beneath her eyes. She looked feral, beautiful, but broken.
"She'll never last," she whispered to her reflection. "She doesn't know how to keep him. How to handle this world. She's weak. Sweet, soft, little charity case Ana…"
She ran a trembling hand over her necklace-free neck.
"You think you're his queen? You're not. You're just a moment. A phase. A mistake."
Her hands curled into fists again as her voice dropped to a venomous murmur.
"I'll tear you down. I'll ruin you. And when I take everything back, I'll make you watch as I do it wearing that necklace with your blood under my heels."
There was a knock at her door.
"Sasha?" her cousin's voice called hesitantly. "Are you okay? We heard something break…"
"I'm fine!" she barked.
Silence followed. Then footsteps retreating.
Sasha stood, smoothing her now-wrinkled dress and brushing a strand of hair from her face. She straightened her posture and exhaled slowly. The fury was still there, buried like a knife under skin but now her face was calm again, her voice soft.
"It's not over," she whispered. "This is war. And I never lose."
She turned toward her closet, opening it slowly.
Inside, amidst rows of designer clothes and shoes, was a velvet box.
She opened it.
Inside gleamed a ring; a rare, custom-made family piece she once had crafted in secret. One that matched the heirloom necklace she was meant to wear. One she had saved for the moment she'd become Harry's wife.
With trembling hands, she slipped the ring onto her finger and stared at it with deadened eyes.
"If I can't wear it beside him…" she whispered, "…then no one will."