Love, Lies, and the Don

Blood mist burst from my left leg.

My body staggered, and pain tore through me, but I bit my lip and refused to fall.

Blake looked at me, a strange irritation rising in his chest.

Unable to suppress it, he reached into his coat and pulled out the wooden horse that held our daughter's ashes.

"Humble yourself, Helena, and I'll find you the best doctor. Even if your leg is ruined, I'll take care of you for the rest of your life. If you refuse to apologize, well…

"This is Lily's favorite toy. I'll burn it right now."

As he spoke, he walked toward the lit fireplace, raising his hand as if to throw it in.

In that instant, everything I had been holding together shattered.

"Don't!"

Ignoring the piercing pain in my leg, I dropped heavily to my knees.

Again and again, I slammed my forehead into the blood-soaked floor, each impact dull and heavy.

"I'll apologize! I'll apologize to Victoria!

"This is my fault. I shouldn't have hit her. I won't do it again!"

Blake froze mid-motion, his hand suspended in the air. His throat moved as if he wanted to say something.

However, Victoria suddenly rushed forward like she had lost her mind. She snatched the wooden horse and screamed sharply, "Why keep something so cursed?!"

She turned and threw it straight into the raging fire.

"No–!"

A raw, tearing scream ripped from my throat.

"Blake! Do you even know?! Lily died because she hung up that call!

"That wooden horse isn't a toy! Inside… are Lily's ashes!"

Blake froze. The color drained from his face instantly.

He shook his head, clinging to denial.

"You'd even make up a lie like this–cursing your own daughter–to avoid punishment?! Helena, you're beyond salvation.

"Lock her in the basement; no one lets her out until I say so."

The struggle had already drained all my strength.

Two bodyguards dragged me away.

As I passed Victoria, I caught the flicker of satisfaction in her eyes.

Deep into the night, the basement was cold and damp, filled with the smell of mold.

Blood seeped slowly from my wound. My body grew colder, my consciousness fading.

I no longer had the strength to struggle or call for help.

I could only curl up in the corner and wait for death to come.

…

Just as my awareness was about to be completely swallowed, the heavy iron door of the basement was kicked open from the outside.

A tall figure rushed in.