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.

pills, the door got pounded like a

that her dad wanted her

stomach screaming, Aubree slid into the car for the hospital, face

I owe Carmen, anyway?’ she thought bitterly. ‘What is

against the window, eyes closed, Aubree was done caring. Whatever Carmen wanted to take, let

opening the door when a sharp slap cracked

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20)

warning, no mercy.

Can’t stand your sister doing okay, huh?” The guy in the fancy suit, all proper and polished, had eyes burning with rage that didn’t match

was like she wasn’t his daughter-like she

straightened up, touching her stinging cheek.

guy was her

her the same nasty look.

in the hospital bed, half-held by Emery, giving Aubree this

She saw it now-why

big day for some big-deal meeting. Guilt already

thinking, he’d beat her senseless with the family’s “discipline” and gave her inheritance to

went down this time, but it was probably the same deal. Another excuse to

But really?

do?” Aubree

I hurt Carmen? Break her? Why are they acting like I owe them her life?’ she

Ronald off. “What’s that

he raised

somehow she grabbed his

shot back,”Did I say something wrong? Did Daxton or Emery see me shove Carmen? No! You just think I did it, so that’s the truth. You won’t even check the freaking

letting

She’d never fought back

that’s on you!” Daxton barked, face red. “Then you

was

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

weak show of sitting up. “No, Dad, I’m fine. It’s not Aubree’s fault. Just a ‘sorry’

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