“Verity, I’ve thought for a long time that something was off with you. I couldn’t figure out why, ever since Kelsey became your sister, you’ve targeted her at every turn.
“Cutting her allowance, framing her, threatening her—and now, you even want to hurt her. So this is why. You’re just irrationally jealous!
“You’re truly vicious!”
I laughed, my eyes burning.
“Vicious?
“What exactly did I do?
“I built an entire home for you. I learned everything you liked. I endured all your indifference. And in the end, in your eyes, I’m vicious?l
“Who asked you to do all that? Who begged you?!”
Tucker snapped, his face flushed with anger and embarrassment.
I finally lost control, my voice shaking.
“Tucker, without me, you’re nothing—”
Suddenly, a smack reverberated in the room.
The slap landed.
Sharp. Brutal.
“Even without you, I live just fine! Verity, I didn’t build my career on you.”
He looked at me coldly, then picked Kelsey up and turned away.
I collapsed onto the floor, my ears ringing. I closed my eyes and let out a bitter smile.
The last trace of feeling in my heart scattered into nothing.
I didn’t know how much time passed before I slowly came back to myself.