Chapter 1Day one out of the psych ward, my husband Callahan drops it:
"Your stepsister Sienna's lawyer? Yeah... I paid him. For your mom's case."
My father—the city's star surgeon—eyes on the road, voice flat.
"Your diagnosis? Mmm. Forged every line myself."
Three years of screaming. Three years while Mom's killer walked.
My hands shake. "Why?"
Dad won't look. Callahan? A lazy shrug.
"You had everything already. Sienna's a bastard kid—she suffered enough, don't you think?"
He tilts his head.
"So. Forgive her... or back to the ward. Your call."
I stare at them—these men who buried me alive.
Callahan. Dad. This time... I'm choosing me.
---
The truth slams into me. I can't even breathe.
Callahan wipes my tears, acting all sweet.
"Oh yeah... when they drugged you? We used your hand to stamp that settlement. You know, for Sienna."
He shrugs like it's nothing.
"Gave you too much though. Baby didn't make it. Didn't even know you were pregnant till after." He grins at me. "We were partying with Sienna. Didn't think to check on you."
My baby. Gone.
Mom wasn't even cold yet when Sienna's car hit her. I was pregnant, running to the cops, and they stuck a needle in me. Blood everywhere. They grabbed my hand and slammed it on some paper.
That paper? Three years of freedom for a killer.
I'm crying so hard I can barely talk.
"Why... why tell me now?"
Dad looks at me through the mirror and lets out this big sigh.
"Needed you to calm down first. You're better now. Won't go after Sienna anymore."
Better?
I slapped her one time. They threw me in that place for three years. Pills that made me puke my guts out. Electric shocks till I couldn't remember anything.
One slap.
I start laughing like crazy and grab the wheel.
The car jerks hard.
"Mara, let go!"
Callahan yanks me back into the seat.
"Let go?" I'm screaming at him. "I'm done! I'm done with this!"
Mom wasn't even buried and Dad's already with his side piece. Then he helps my husband get her killer off.
I should've lost it back then.
They shove me in the basement and lock the door.
Dad's waving around some photo of him and his girlfriend all smiley.
"Call her 'Mother.'"
I spit at the ground.
"No."
He sighs and grabs his phone. He turns back at the door.
"Linda's doing her best. Least you can do is respect her."
I grab that frame and throw it as hard as I can. Glass goes flying everywhere. A piece cuts Callahan's face and blood starts dripping.
He just stands there staring at me like I'm trash.
"Act up with Sienna again and you're going straight back."
He gets down in my face with those ice-cold eyes.
"Just accept them. Sienna. Linda. That's all you gotta do."
He gets up and smirks at me.
"So? You staying or what?"
The door slams so hard the walls shake.
But here's the thing.
Tucked in with those hospital papers? Divorce forms. It's already done.
This "family" that wants a homewrecker and a murderer more than me?
I'm gone.
Chapter 2
Sienna sent me a friend request. I opened up her whole feed.
The day they locked me up? Callahan took her jewelry shopping.
I remember that first day. I couldn't take it anymore. I hid in a bathroom and called him.
First call? He hung up.
Second? He rejected it.
Third? His phone was off.
They caught me. The electric shocks came after that.
Eventually I stopped fighting.
I scroll through her posts. Every photo makes me sick.
Mom's funeral? Dad went to his girlfriend's birthday party. He told everyone they were together.
Their wedding? It's tomorrow.
Same day as Sienna's birthday. Same day Mom died.
Evening comes. Callahan brings food down.
He tries feeding me with a spoon. I turn away.
His face goes dark.
"What, still pouting?"
Those three years I survived thinking he still cared. That's how I got through it.
Not anymore. That part of me is dead.
He throws the bowl down. Food goes everywhere.
"We thought—God, we actually thought you got it through your head! That's the only reason we even brought you back! And you're gonna sit here being a brat?"
"You wanna know something? None of this was Sienna's fault! Your mom was the one running her mouth, calling her names, making a scene—that's what got her killed!"
My chest hurts.
I saw what happened. Sienna hit Mom with her car. She backed up. She hit her again. She was smiling the whole time.
Blood splattered on my shoes. It was still warm.
I tried running to Mom but Callahan grabbed me. He wouldn't let go.
"Just—just calm down. Help's on the way. Don't freak out."
I bet he thought she deserved it.
I laugh and throw the divorce papers at him. They're already signed.
"Oh, so she's not a homewrecker? Cool. Then let's get divorced!"
He freezes for a second. Then he laughs back at me. It sounds ugly.
"Divorce? Really? You know how much I hate being threatened, right?"
"But hey, since we're being honest... you're the mistress now. Surprise."
He throws something at me. A marriage certificate. It has an official stamp.
The name next to his? It's Sienna's.
Even though I wanted out, the tears come anyway.
It was all fake from the start.
Callahan thinks I'm backing down now. His voice softens a little.
"Look... this was your dad's call, okay? Think about it. You've had everything your whole life. Sienna? Her mom? They got nothing but crap. It's just a piece of paper. Doesn't mean anything."
"Just... play nice with Sienna. That's all. Do that, and maybe down the line I'll give you the real deal. Mrs. Hayes. Official."
His phone rings. It's Sienna. He leaves the room.
He doesn't come back.
He flew her out that same night. They went shopping for birthday gifts.
They sat on a beach. They watched the sunrise. He played piano for her. Our song.
Everything he used to do with me? He's doing it all with her now.
Something inside me breaks.
Sienna posts everything online. The comments call her "Mrs. Hayes." They call me crazy.
"Man's money goes where his heart is. Should've dumped the psycho."
"You and your mom slept around right? Makes sense one's dead and one's nuts."
Callahan sees all of it. He says nothing.
He's showing me what happens when I don't listen. He wants me stuck here watching them be happy.
He wants me to forget about the divorce.
Not happening.
Next morning loud music blasts right outside my door. It wakes me up.
Chapter 3
Mom's photos are gone. Her things are gone. The whole place is covered in party decorations.
I walk in looking like a mess. Everyone stares.
"Wait, isn't that the crazy one? She got out?"
"Her dad's wedding and her sister's birthday party. Double celebration! No way she'd miss it!"
"Mr. Hayes must be so embarrassed. Bet he's looking for an upgrade."
Sienna walks over in a fancy dress, hanging on Callahan's arm.
"Oh sis, you must've had such a hard time. I know you've never liked me or my mom, but we're family now. Maybe we can just get along?"
On her wrist is the Hayes family bracelet. The one meant for the real daughter-in-law.
Callahan already gave it to her.
She's smiling but her nails dig into my arm.
I rip my arm away.
"Congrats. I'm going to visit my mom."
"STOP RIGHT THERE!"
Dad's voice booms behind me.
"Don't you dare mention her in front of them again!"
Callahan grabs my arm. His patience is gone.
"Today's a celebration. Don't start trouble."
But today is also my mom's death anniversary. One year ago.
I try to leave. Suddenly cameras surround me.
Sienna runs over and drops to her knees in front of me, crying.
"I know you're sad about your mom! I really do! But she wasn't well, sis. She jumped in front of my car! She kept yelling horrible things at me!"
"My mom spent her whole life being kind, and your mom kept calling her a homewrecker..."
Her purse tips over. Papers spill out. A psychiatric evaluation report.
My mom's name is on it.
Everyone gasps.
"They were both mentally ill? And they bullied Sienna and her mom?"
Just like that. A few words and suddenly me and Mom are the villains.
Sienna's still on the ground crying. Callahan looks at me with disgust.
"You and your mom tortured them? That's what you've been doing? God, Mara."
Dad's face turns red. He points at me.
"You're a disgrace."
The room spins. My head pounds.
"My mom was fine..."
My legs give out. Callahan catches me. His mouth near my ear, voice cold.
"I've got the deed to your mom's house."
"Tell these cameras that Sienna's mom didn't wreck any home. Say it now."
His voice sounds gentle but I'm shaking hard.
Mom fought so hard to keep that house for me. It's all I have left of her.
I can barely speak.
"You bastard..."
Every phone in the room goes off at once.
"BREAKING: Late Heiress's Property Listed at Auction with Shocking Low Starting Bid!"
I look up at him. He sees my face and smiles.
"So what's it gonna be? Mommy's good name... or her house? Clock's ticking."
