The Queen They Buried

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Carmen’s heart attack slammed the Wilson family like a wrecking ball, turning everything to chaos.

Emery wanted to have a real talk with Aubree, but that got kicked to the curb.

Daxton, though, was quick to throw shade, blaming Aubree for Carmen’s collapse. He was dead set that Aubree freaked Carmen out by shoving her down the stairs on purpose, then pulled a crocodile-tears apology to mess with her head, triggering the attack.

In her upstairs bedroom, Aubree sprawled on the bed while Carmen got rushed to the hospital.

The butler was busy shooing party guests out the door.

School was starting in two days, and since Aubree wasn’t going the artsy route, she needed to ping her teachers to switch back to regular classes.

No way was she reliving her old life, playing doormat for Carmen’s climb to fame.

Last time, Carmen’s grades couldn’t cut it for Rithol Art School, but Aubree’s win at a national art contest scored her a free ride. The Wilsons strong-armed her into being Carmen’s ghostwriter, even if it meant torching her own future.

By some fluke-or Carmen’s dumb luck-it worked out.

But that was just the start.

In college, everything Aubree earned got slapped with Carmen’s name. She fought back, but the Wilsons had her pinned. Step out of line, and they’d cut her cash flow, leaving her high and dry.

This time, Aubree’s plan was simple: stack her own money. With enough dough, she could call her own shots.

She was itching to see if Carmen could still play the “world-famous genius painter” without her doing the heavy lifting.

Drained, Aubree passed out. She woke to a sharp stab in her gut, face pale as a ghost, sweat dripping like rain onto the sheets.

“Damn, this hurts.” Gritting her teeth, she dragged herself up, clutching her stomach, reaching for the painkillers in the cabinet.

The Wilsons barely fed her, and it had wrecked her stomach. She’d been stuck tailing Carmen all day, “protecting” her, and hadn’t eaten a crumb.

The family was out for dinner, and the maids? They didn’t give a damn if she starved.

she could grab the pills, the door got

that her dad wanted her at

into the

Carmen, anyway?’ she thought

was done caring. Whatever Carmen wanted to

opening the door when a sharp slap cracked across

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20)

warning, no mercy.

your sister doing okay, huh?” The guy in the fancy suit, all proper

wasn’t his daughter-like she was his worst

up, touching her stinging

was her so-called dad,

brother Daxton right behind, shooting her the same nasty look. “If Carmen’s hurt bad,

half-held by Emery, giving Aubree this fake,

bitter chuckle. She

skipped Carmen’s big day for some big-deal meeting. Guilt already eating him, he came

her senseless with the family’s

time, but it was probably the same

But really?

Aubree stared down

Break her? Why are they acting like I

tone set Ronald off.

disrespected. And he raised his hand

screaming, but somehow she grabbed his

shove Carmen? No! You just think I did it, so that’s the truth. You won’t even check

yelled, letting her anger

or begged. She’d never fought back like this. Everyone

face red. “Then you pull

face was ice.

with your brothers,” he said. “Your inheritance? It’s

“No, Dad, I’m fine. It’s not

at her, playing the angel. Aubree smirked. ‘Say sorry? That’d be like