Anna crushed Mom's memorial tablet under her heel, sneering. "Surprised? Did you really think Dad loved your mother? He only stayed for the Whitmore fortune. The one he loves is my mother. And the daughter he loves is me. I'm taking everything, Serena."
I snapped. Screamed, calling her illegitimate scum, and lunged. My hand connected with her face in a vicious slap.
Before I could strike again, a heavy boot kicked me aside. Dad.
Bodyguards swarmed me, dragging me to the courtyard and forcing me to kneel in the torrential rain. The physical pain was nothing compared to the ice spreading through my chest.
The fever took me quickly. My last memory before darkness claimed me was Paul's face, twisted in panic, rushing toward me through the rain.
When I woke, I was staring at a strange ceiling. Tears leaked from my eyes.
Paul was there. He fed me water and pulled me into his arms, eyes red-rimmed. His voice was a steady promise against my ear.
"Rena, don't be afraid. You still have me. I will always be on your side."