CHAPTER 55: FADED

Erisia smiled faintly, crossing her arms. "I’m the victim here. I should decide on her punishment."

She tilted her head slightly toward Sierra, who began shaking her head in panic, but no one paid her any attention. This wasn’t like the past—no one was coming to shield her now.

"What do you say, Father? Brother?"

David lowered his phone, brows furrowed. "What exactly do you have in mind?"

Erisia’s eyes flicked to Sierra, her voice measured. "A police record will follow her for life, and I don’t intend to waste my time in court because of her. But that doesn’t mean she walks away untouched."

Leander leaned forward, curious. "Then what?"

"She leaves this house and is sent to an asylum," Erisia said without hesitation. "Tomorrow. No contact, no visits, no calls. Someone who can attempt murder can do anything, so she deserves punishment of equal measure. Honestly, this is me being merciful."

She shifted her weight with a soft sigh, her tone chillingly calm. "But I know a place that’s different from a normal asylum. Do you know what they do there? I’ll tell you. If a sane person goes there—especially someone like you, Sierra—in no time they’re turned into a broken shell of themselves. They’ll medicate you until you forget your own name, keep you locked away until reality starts to blur. You’ll wake up every day not knowing if it’s morning or night, wondering if the voices in your head are real or just another side effect."

Sierra’s face drained of color, her breath catching in her throat. "You... you wouldn’t dare," she whispered, her voice trembling too much to sound convincing.

Erisia arched a brow, her faint smile never faltering. "Wouldn’t I? After all, you tried to kill me. Compared to what you planned for me, this is merciful."

"Stop it!" Selena burst out, her voice cracking as she clutched Sierra’s arm protectively. "David, you can’t allow this! She’s your daughter!"

David’s expression darkened, but he said nothing, his eyes fixed on Erisia.

Shane leaned back in his chair, his gaze cold and unreadable. "It’s a better alternative than a criminal record. At least she’ll still be alive."

The agreement settled over the room like a silent verdict. Erisia couldn’t help but feel satisfied.

"No! No, please!" Sierra’s panic broke through in a sharp cry. She dropped to her knees, clutching at Selena’s skirt. "Mom, don’t let them send me there! I’ll go crazy—I’ll die in there!"

Selena shook her head wildly, tears welling. "David, stop this! Don’t you dare let anyone take her!"

David’s voice was low and controlled. "Then what do you suggest, Selena? That we let her stay here after everything she’s done?"

"I—I..." Selena faltered, gripping Sierra tighter but unable to form a response.

Erisia stepped closer, her tone soft but lethal. "Think carefully, Sierra. You brought this on yourself. If you want mercy, now is the time to beg for it—because once you step into that place, no one will hear you scream."

Sierra went quiet, then slowly looked up. Her eyes were bloodshot, her cheeks streaked with tears, and her hair hung in a wild, tangled mess. She looked every bit the madwoman she was becoming.

Suddenly, she shot to her feet and lunged at Erisia. "Damn you! Damn you to hell, Erisia!"

Erisia didn’t flinch—didn’t even blink. She stood as if Sierra were nothing more than a gust of wind. The indifference only fueled Sierra’s rage. With a strangled cry, Sierra reached for her neck.

Just as her nails were about to graze skin, Erisia smoothly sidestepped, seized one of Sierra’s wrists, and yanked hard. At the same time, she hooked a foot behind Sierra’s ankle and kicked, sending her crashing to the floor.

"Ahh!" Sierra cried out as pain shot through her limbs.

"Shut up," Erisia said coldly. "You wanted to strangle me, didn’t you? I only made you fall—it’s not that painful, so why are you crying? Sierra dear, don’t you understand? If you want to hurt someone, make sure you have the strength to do it."

Erisia smiled faintly and lifted her gaze to meet David’s complicated stare. She raised a brow, and after a beat, he gave a slow nod.

"Leander, take Sierra and your mother to their rooms. It’s been a long day."

Startled by the sudden command, Leander nodded and walked toward Selena. "Mom, let me take you to your room. It’s been one hell of a night—especially for you. You must be drained."

Selena shook her head frantically. "No, but what about Sierra—"

"Sierra will be fine. I’ll take her to her room after you," Leander cut in through gritted teeth. He stepped forward and firmly guided Selena away, ignoring her weak protests.

Meanwhile, Sierra still lay on the floor, sobbing and thrashing. Shane called over two maids, who quickly came to restrain her. Erisia watched with cold detachment as Sierra fought them, her screams echoing until they finally dragged her upstairs.

Once the room fell quiet, Erisia turned to David, waiting. When he remained silent, she tilted her head slightly. "Didn’t you have something to say?"

David exhaled heavily, looking away. His mouth opened, then closed again, but before he could respond, Erisia—already seated—spoke first.

"Then I’ll talk instead," she said coolly, breaking the heavy silence. "Everything that happens from now on must be known to the public. Sierra is going to the asylum—it has to be known by everyone. That’s easy anyway; news travels fast in neighborhoods like this and in rich circles."

Her gaze sharpened. "Also, you have to make everyone know that I’m the biological daughter. I’m done hearing that ’adopted daughter’ shit. I don’t care how you do it—an announcement, a statement, whatever. Just make sure that by the time the court hearing starts in two weeks, everyone knows my true identity."

David only nodded as she continued.

"And lastly, I want everything Sierra received that was supposed to belong to me. We can start with a few million. I want an apartment—upscale, in either Brooklyn or Manhattan."

David looked back at her. "You won’t be living here?"

Erisia gave a soft, indifferent hum. "Hm."

"Erisia, I know that nothing good has happened to you since you came to this house and I—" David began, his voice lower now, almost tentative.

"I’ve always wanted to leave," Erisia cut in. "And don’t bother—there is nothing you can say that will make me stay. I’m sorry, but the least you can do is quickly get me the apartment."

She rose to her feet, brushing her hair back. "I’ll send you the information about the asylum when I get to my room. Call them tonight so they can come early tomorrow morning."

Her gaze flicked briefly between David and Shane. "Goodnight, Father. Goodnight, Shane."

Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and headed out of the living room.

Behind her, David exhaled a long, weary breath, the weight of the situation pressing into his shoulders. Shane’s eyes followed Erisia’s retreating figure, his jaw tightening as the sound of her footsteps faded up the staircase.