Chapter 3 Betrayal

• Linara's eyes shimmered with tears, hiding the malice behind them. She looked up piteously and pleaded, "Seraphina, I'll go if you want me out of the Whitewood Family. I'll even openly disown our family if that's what you want. Just stop hurting the people who care for you, okay?" Her voice sounded so righteous, but Seraphina saw right through it.
• Seraphina watched Linara's act with disgust. She had wanted to expose her fake facade so many times, but she had always held back. She was afraid of disappointing their parents and being seen as brutal and uncultured.
• Yet now, she was done being afraid.
• In a flash, Linara's expression changed from sad to frightened as Seraphina's hands closed around her neck. "Do you know how long I've wanted to slap your lying face?"
• A loud slap echoed as Seraphina’s hand met Linara's cheek, causing her head to snap to the side.
• Slap, slap, slap. Seraphina continued, each slap swelling Linara's cheeks and stripping away her false delicacy.
• Linara cried.
• Seeing her daughter's suffering, Chloe yelled at the hotel staff, "Why are you just standing there? Get that crazy girl out of here!"
• The hotel security guards arrived promptly and moved in quickly, responding to her command.
• Suddenly, Seraphina pressed a knife against Linara's neck. "Don't move! Anyone steps closer, and this knife moves," she warned.
• The guards halted while the guests stared in disbelief and wondered, What could drive such a young girl to this point of desperation?
• The cold blade against her neck instantly silenced Linara. Her eyes went wide with fear, fixated on the knife, terrified that any move might end her life.
• "Seraphina, what you're doing is illegal. You'll end up in jail. Let me go, and I promise I won't press charges. I'll leave the Whitewood Family and give up our parents to you," Linara pleaded, her voice shaky.
• Seraphina smirked. "I don't care anymore." Inwardly, she laughed bitterly at her own naivety. Eight years... It has shown me who you really are. To you, I'm just a burden. I live a life worse than a dog's in that family. Even a dog gets more respect than I ever do.
• I thought hard work and obedience would earn your love. I'm never truly your daughter. How stupid I am to think you care. You never do. Your so-called love is a lie, and I'm a fool to believe it.
• Linara tried to speak, but Seraphina's cold voice cut her off. "I know my time is running out. Since you all want me gone, why not go together? We can be sisters in the afterlife."
• Linara's lips trembled, unable to find the words.
• "Linara, you can..." Before Seraphina could finish, a bullet flew by and hit her forehead. She crumpled to the ground. She stared in shock at the man who had fired, her mind spinning with questions she couldn't voice.
• You're my protector, my shield from all the bad stuff. Now, you stand against me. The one person I trusted the most has betrayed me. Why?!
• Nothing was more heartbreaking to Seraphina. Overwhelmed by anger and bitterness, she slowly sank to the ground. The knife slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor.
• The heartbroken Linara leaned close to Seraphina's lifeless body and whispered, "You think this is bad? You haven't seen anything yet. This was all my doing. Even the people you trusted, I chose them. I can't believe you still tried to fight me. Aren't you supposed to protect the family's honor?"
• Seraphina's eyes stayed steady, even as Linara's words dripped with venom.
• Seeing the hate in her eyes, Linara smirked. "You've got such pretty eyes. Seeing you go is almost a shame, but Theron doesn't want you around anymore. I have to send you away. Don't blame me. Blame yourself for coming back. Everything in the Whitewood Family belongs to me. You're just a nobody."
• Suddenly, blood gushed from Seraphina's mouth and splattered across Linara's shocked face. Then Linara's cold indifference melted into genuine concern as Chloe and the others hurried over.
• "Linara, are you hurt? Let me see," Chloe asked anxiously.
• Linara shook her head, tears welling up. "Mom, I'm sorry. I hurt Seraphina."
• Chloe's face darkened with disapproval. "She got what was coming to her."
• Oberon added, "It's her own fault. She brought this on herself."
• Chloe hugged Linara tightly, blaming herself, "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have let that cursed girl into our lives and put you in danger."
• Oberon declared firmly, "Forget about her. She's no longer part of this family."
• Rowan Duskwood, the sophisticated man who had just handled Seraphina, cast a look of disdain as he passed by her. Walking up to Linara, he asked softly, "Are you okay, Linara? I blame myself for this."
• Tears welled in Linara's eyes as she looked at Rowan and replied, "Rowan, it's not your fault. Don't blame yourself. Seraphina... I... I'm scared."
• Rowan wanted to comfort her but restrained himself in front of others.
• Meanwhile, members of the Whitewood Family continued to console Linara.
• "You're still thinking about her after everything she did to you? She got what she deserved."
• "Her death will be a relief for everyone."
• "Linara, you're too kind for your own good."
• Rowan gazed at Linara tenderly, his affection for her evident. Linara was compassionate and forgiving to him, even in the face of such betrayal. In contrast, Seraphina's deceitful schemes had brought nothing but trouble.
• As Linara took in the comforting words around her, a flicker of pleasure crossed her face.