Chapter 192
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“How?” I can’t help the glee in my voice. “I know with you, perception matters more than truth, but right now, both say you’re a monster.”
Lucas glares at me, nostrils flaring. “Don’t talk like this doesn’t affect you, like you’re not a part of this family.”
“I don’t recall asking to be born into this family,” I shoot back. “And frankly, if I had a choice, I’d have picked the womb of a prison inmate over this particular gene pool.”
Peter stifles a cough that sounds suspiciously like laughter.
“Enough,” Father growls. “You two are embarrassing yourselves.”
“You’re the embarrassment,” Peter says suddenly. His voice is soft, but it cuts deep. “You and Mom, and Lucas. You’ve dragged our name through kerosene for decades, and now you’re shocked someone lit a match.”
Mother gasps like he slapped her. “Peter, how dare you?”
Peter stands, shaking his head. “You want someone to blame? Blame yourselves. April and Lara didn’t fabricate that video. And the fact that you two are more worried about your precious image than the fact that your son is a sick fuck is just nauseating.”
Father clenches a fist, and I’m ready to jump out of my seat and block the blow I know he’ll aim at Peter when Madeline gasps dramatically.
Her face drains as she stares at her phone.
“The video’s hit ten million views. It’s been translated into Portuguese, French, and Spanish. Trending on TikTok, X, Instagram, and YouTube. Major news outlets are picking it up globally.”
Father throws a glass against the fireplace. It shatters spectacularly.
“Classy,” I mutter.
Peter leans towards me as the shouting resumes and asks quietly, “Where were you?”
I meet his eyes, keeping my expression neutral. “Bathroom.”
He arches a brow. “You missed your wedding and the greatest fall of an empire since the Roman’s because you were in the bathroom?”
I shrug.
The corner of his lips twitches. “Last Eliza told me, the videos were only supposed to circulate on social media during the wedding. I wonder how they got the video past the security system to play on the projector.”
I shrug. “Beats me.”
The truth is, I did more than just help. I timed the release and accessed the ballroom control system myself.
I set the password override that unlocked the projection panel and synced the audio.
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10:32 Sun, Oct 19
Chapter 192
I lit the fucking match.
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And now, watching the smoke rise from the ashes, I’ve never felt lighter.
When Peter stands, he squeezes my shoulder. We share a look–an understanding we never really had before.
Father’s voice explodes again. “We have to sue them! All of them. Lara, April, anyone who reposts the goddamn video.”
“I…I would not advise that you go against the Ellingtons, sir,” Easton finally speaks.
“Oh, let him,” I coo. “He can finally pick on someone his own size.”
Father lunges for me, and I’m prepared for the slap that cracks across my face. “You will be useful,” he seethes, “or you’ll get the fuck
out.”
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I rise, blinking back the reflexive tears. I let my gaze run over my ruined family and smile broadly. “I hope you all have fun.”
When I step out, I rest my back against the door and exhale.
The hallway is dimly lit, quiet except for the distant sound of classical music from the main hall.
Outside, paparazzi lights flicker like lightning bugs, desperate to catch a glimpse of the empire crumbling behind these gilded walls.
Break the fucking cage.
I spent my whole life punishing myself for crimes I didn’t commit. If only I’d known sooner how satisfying it is to watch the real culprits face justice.
And I’m not done.
I’m not just breaking the cage; I’m bringing the entire fortress down.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
