Ch. Finished 3 Finished 3

Chapter 3 

The car pulled up to the villa. 

The moment I stepped out, a wall of flashing lights exploded in my face. 

Panicked, I reached for Mom’s hand–only to grab empty air. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her walking quickly away with Caroline, not sparing me a glance. 

My face went pale. I ducked my head, pulling my hat low. 

“Ms. Melinda, is it true you were afraid your sister would win the modeling competition, so you set the fire to kill her, only to burn yourself instead? 

“Ms. Melinda, how can someone as vicious as you still show up at your sister’s celebration? Don’t you feel shameless? 

“Ms. Melinda, you’re good at strutting on the runway–why so afraid of losing? Is it because your sugar daddies aren’t happy with you anymore?” 

As one reporter spoke, he suddenly yanked the hat off my head. 

Gasps erupted around me. 

My burned, ruined face was now on full display for every camera. 

“Oh my God… disgusting. Is that a monster?” 

“Ugh, I’m gonna puke. This is nightmare fuel.” 

My heart pounded, my vision swam, but they weren’t done. Several phones were lifted, live streams going. 

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“Fallen model Melinda Althea–a washed–up model with a nasty streak- tried to burn her own sister alive and ended up like this. They say she’s burned from head to toe. Let’s see for ourselves how evil meets its end.” 

Someone shoved me. I stumbled, hitting the ground. 

The loose fabric of my clothes tore instantly–baring my arms, my legs, my waist… 

A raw, rasping cry tore from my throat. 

Then my hands and feet began to tremble uncontrollably. 

My whole body convulsed like I was being electrocuted. 

The reporters‘ manhandling me lit up with excitement. “She’s having a seizure! This is gold–get a close–up, all angles!” 

My eyes rolled back, foam spilling from my lips. 

The drug had kicked in. I couldn’t stop it. 

Like a clown stripped bare, I could only let them tear apart what little pride I had left. 

A shriek cut through the air. 

Heat spread beneath me, the sharp stench of urine filling the 

space. 

The shame was so crushing I couldn’t even cry. I wanted to die right there. 

Even as they mocked and insulted me, flashes kept firing–aimed lower now, relentless. I lay there like a dead dog, drained of all strength. 

“What the hell are you doing? Who said you could film her?” 

Kenneth burst through the crowd, grabbed a reporter’s camera, and smashed it to the ground. “Get the hell out!” 

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Mom rushed over, wrapping me in a coat, tears streaming. “Where’s security? Are you all dead? How did reporters get in? Get out–every single one of you!” 

Caroline stood off to the side, her hand over her mouth in fake shock. “You’ve gone too far. How could you treat my sister like this? And the photos you took of her seizure and accident–you’d better not publish them.” 

“Disgusting. 

All of you are disgusting. 

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“You want the title? You want to give all the love to Caroline? Fine. I can give you that. 

“But why did you have to destroy me like this?” 

My thoughts blurred. Kenneth bent down in front of me, gripping my hands tight. “Honey, I’m sorry. I should’ve protected you. From now on, I’ll never let anyone hurt you again. Let’s get married right away, okay?” 

I wanted to say no, but the metallic taste surged up my throat first. 

Blood splattered across him. His pupils shrank, and his face drained of color. 

Before darkness swallowed me, I heard him and Mom shouting frantically 

for a doctor. 

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