Ch. Finished 5 Finished 5

Chapter 5 

11 

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The hallway was dead silent, as if even the air had frozen. 

Kenneth gripped his phone, voice tight with anger. “Are you tired of living? You dare curse my wife?” 

Beside him, Caroline’s eyes lit up with a flash of joy at whatever she heard over the call. 

She quickly masked it with a gentle, fake tone. 

“Kenny, don’t be upset. Linda is probably just mad you locked her up, so she’s teaming up with Daniel to trick you. You know how she is–lying’s her favorite way to get your attention. 

“If you ask me, you should send her off to some remote country for a while. Once she suffers a bit, she’ll realize how good you’ve been to her. People like her don’t deserve to be spoiled.” 

Her voice droned on. 

For the first time, Kenneth’s patience snapped. 

“Shut up. My marriage is none of your business.” 

He shook off her hand and stepped aside, lowering his voice. “Tell her I’m letting it go today. Open the door now. I’ll bring her a macaron from Ladurée; she loves it.” 

Ladurée’s macarons had been our silent peace offering for over a decade. 

Whenever I was upset, one piece was enough to make me forgive him. 

But the last time I had one was two years ago. 

boy 

08:17 

Chapter 5 

Not because he never bought them–he did. But somehow, every single one went to Caroline. 

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He always said she was my foster sister, fragile and depressed, and that I owed it to her to be kinder. 

But I never knew—what exactly did I 

And we her? 

She lost her family because they were criminals who died on the run. Dad died because of her dad’s crimes. 

I gave up Mom, my husband, my lifelong dream… 

And now, my life. 

And he finally remembered to bring me a macaron. 

How ridiculous. 

On the phone, Daniel’s voice was frantic. “Mr. Thornton, I swear I’m not lying. The fire started in Mrs. Thornton’s room. By the time we realized and tried to open the door, it was too late. The villa is burning out of control. Firefighters are still trying to rescue her…” 

“Enough!” Kenneth pressed his temple, his tone still icy. “I know she’s mad. I locked her up. I already agreed to let her out: How long is she going to keep this act up? She lit it herself–she’s not stupid enough to burn herself alive!” 

“But what if she didn’t start it?” The thought hit him hard. 

His breath quickened, his face paling. “Fine. I’m coming back now.” 

He was about to hang up when Mom snatched the phone. 

Unlike him, she was far from calm. “You’re lying, right? She’s just mad I said those hurtful things. Tell Linda I didn’t mean it, and that I’ll 

apologize as soon as I get home.” 

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Chapter 5 

Daniel was silent for a moment, then sighed. “Alright. I’ll tell her.” 

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Mom’s face eased, a stiff smile tugging at her lips. “See? I knew it had to be a joke. A fire that bad? Impossible. There are so many people in the villa. How could it get out of control? That girl… making me worry for nothing.” 

But no matter what she told herself, she didn’t notice the tremor in her 

own voice. 

“Kenneth, let’s go back. It’s your wedding day. Make it up to Linda. She’s my only daughter. I can’t let her be wronged again.” 

He nodded, restless. “Alright. I will.” 

Caroline trailed behind, ready to follow, but Kenneth stopped her. “Go home. Linda doesn’t like you, and I’m not letting you ruin her mood on our wedding day.” 

Mom chimed in, “That’s right, Carrie. Go home. You already stole her modeling title. Don’t show up in front of her again.” 

Caroline’s mouth opened, but they didn’t even look at her as they walked 

away. 

Her jaw clenched, the sweetness on her face vanishing, replaced by a twisted snarl. “Melinda, you pathetic bitch–dead or not, you still won’t 

leave me alone!”