Riley’s POV

Zara bstood /bthere, almost in tears, her voice trembling. “bRiley/b, please. Onest chance. Whatever you want–tell me. I’ll give it bto /byou I swear.”

I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly, steadying the turmoil inside me.

When I opened them again, I was ready.

“Fine.” I said coldly. “Onest chance. But if you fail me again–if you lie, hesitate, or make excuses–we’re done. Forever. You’ll be nothing more bthan /ba stranger.”

She nodded eagerly, as if she’d been waiting her entire life to hear that from me. “Yes, of course. Anything. Just tell me what you need.”

I looked her dead in the eyes. You raised Scarlett for twenty–three years. She’s worn designer clothes, driven imported cars, traveled the world, and had every privilege thrown at her feet. bYou /bspent more than a fortune on her.

Zara blinked, unsure. “Are you asking for money?”

“I’m asking for the only thing you can give,” I said without emotion. “I want ten million credits. That’s all. Give me that, band /bI’ll forgive everything.”

She looked stunned. Ten million was ba /blot, even for her. Not impossible, but not something she could just hand over today.

But

what /bI had demanded before–to cast out Scarlett and sever the blood–bonded tie of guardianship–this wa

ba /bbwalk /bbin /bthe park

She was so terrified I might change my mind that she didn’t even hesitate. “Okay. I agree. I’ll get it for you.”

I nodded. “Good. Then bleave/b. I’m tired”

She practically fled in relief, clinging to the promise of redemption like it was a lifeline.

I watched her and a small smirk curled at the corner of my lips.

That bwas /balways the n.

I never expected her to exile Scarlett. And climbing the sacred nine hundred and ny–bnine /bstairs at bAshfang /bTemple? Please. I knew she couldn’t do it.

I gave her impossible choices first bso /bthat when I bfinally /basked for the money she’d jump at the chance.

She would never have agreed to ten million upfront. Not when she couldn’t even bear to give me a proper allowance before.

But now?

Now, I bhad /bwhat I needed,

The next bday/b, Mia returned bas /bbusual /bto bring me food–but this time, she wasn’t alone.

Carman came with her.

She was only twenty, bbut /bshe radiated a light I hadn’t felt in a long time. There was no bpain /bin her eyesb, /bno cynicism–just the brightness of a byoung /bshe–wolf with a bfuture/b.

I was only three years olderb, /bbut in my reflection, I barely recognized myself. My eyes were hollow. My skin pale and bruised. My hands scarred

Carman’s gazended on my bandaged hand, and her eyes bfilled /binstantly with tears. She stepped forward and gently cupped my wrist, her fingers trembling. “Riley… What did they do to you…

The bruises were still vivid. The belt wounds from rie’s rage cut across my

y arms in uglyb, /bswollen marks.

Carman’s bvoice /bcracked. “You can’t stay

y with them. The Vales bare /bmonsters. Leave them. Please,”

+8 Pearls

I knew she meant it. She band /bMia were the only ones who ever visited me in prison. Not Kael. Not bZara/b. Not Theo.

Just them.

bAnd /bfor that bI /bwould protect them with everything bI /bbhad/b.

I gave her a small smile. “Okay, I’ll listen to you, Carman.”

Her eyes widened. “Really?”

I nodded. “Really.”

bBut /bbefore I walked away from the Vale estate for good, bI /bneeded to make sure bthey /bbhad /bba /bway out too. If Kael ever tried to use them against me again–I wouldn’t bsurvive /bit.

So I shifted the topic. “How are your ssesb?/b”

She beamed. “Pretty bgood/b. bI’ve /bbeen bmaking /bthe Dean’s List every semester.”

I felt a flicker of warmth. “That’s my girl. Do you want to study abroad?”

She hesitated. The light in her eyes dimmed.

I’d love to,” she admitted. “But there’s no way. Mom’s already doing everything she can just to keep me in school here. Studying overseas? That’s a luxury we can’t afford.”

I leaned forward. “What if–just what if–you didn’t bhave /bto worry about money? Would you go?”

Carmanughed softly, shaking her head. “In a heartbeat. But dreams don’t work like that, Riley. It’s just a fantasy.”

No. Not a fantasy.

A n.

Once I got that bten /bmillion, they were the first ones I’d send baway/b. Carman would finish her education in another country- far from the Vale Pack. Far from ric. Far from Kael. Far from bpain/b.

And Mia would go bwith /bher. She deserved peace.

I would tie up thest of my loose ends.

Once they were safe–no one could use them against me.

And then?

I’d burn the brest /bdownb. /b

Let the Valese for me if they dared.

Because bthis /bbtime/bb, /bI wasn’t afraid to take everyst one of them with me.

Send Gifts

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