Chapter 8

Just as the edges of my vision began to fade, Ethan’s fist collided with Adrian’s face, snapping him out of it. His grip loosened, and I slumped to the floor, gasping for air.

I shot a glare at Ethan, my reluctant savior, who looked back at me, clearly unsatisfied, and landed another punch on Adrian.

“She almost died. Do you even get that? You almost killed her!”

Adrian looked stunned, rubbing his wrist as if deciding whether to hit back. But after a moment, he shoved Ethan aside, casting me a conflicted look before averting his gaze.

“So what if she died? She shouldn’t have messed with Bella in the first place.”

“Exactly! She hurt Aunt Bella—she’s a bad mom! I hate bad moms!” Jonah clung to Bella’s arm, angrily chiming in.

Not interested in facing the ugliness of the Bennett family any longer, I slipped away to my room while Ethan and Adrian continued their fight. Their voices drifted up to the second floor.

“Brother! Don’t you get it? Vera wants to die! Didn’t you see that twisted little smile when you nearly strangled her? She’s pushing you on purpose!”

“Want to die? Please. All she ever does is cling to me. You think she’d actually want to kill herself?”

Once I shut the door, the noise faded. Peace at last.

I pulled a small paring knife from my drawer and walked to the bathroom. The blade sliced cleanly across my wrist, the blood trickling down in thin rivulets. Funny…facing death wasn’t nearly as painful as I’d expected.