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

barked that her dad wanted her at the hospital to grovel

into the car for the hospital, face

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

closed, Aubree was done caring. Whatever Carmen wanted to take, let her try-she had

opening the door when a sharp slap cracked

1/2

20)

warning, no mercy.

The guy in the fancy suit, all proper and polished,

she wasn’t his daughter-like she was his worst

touching her stinging cheek. Blood’s taste filled her

her

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

Emery, giving Aubree this fake, sad stare, like she

She

for some big-deal meeting. Guilt already eating

the family’s “discipline” and gave

know what went down this time, but it was probably the same deal. Another excuse to make her the bad guy

But really?

Aubree stared

acting like I owe

Ronald off. “What’s that

raised his hand

stomach was screaming, but somehow she

Did Daxton or Emery see me shove Carmen? No! You just

yelled, letting

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

“Then you pull out those

was

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

made a weak show of sitting up. “No, Dad, I’m fine.

That’d be like saying