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.

grab the pills, the door got pounded like a

maid barked that her dad wanted her at the

slid into the car for the

apology? How much more do I owe Carmen, anyway?’ she thought bitterly. ‘What

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

Carmen’s hospital room, barely opening the door when a sharp slap

1/2

20)

warning, no mercy.

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

wasn’t his daughter-like she

Ahem…” Aubree straightened up, touching her stinging cheek.

guy was her so-called

the same nasty look. “If Carmen’s hurt bad, you’re done!”

Emery, giving Aubree this fake,

chuckle. She saw it now-why she was

some big-deal meeting. Guilt already eating him, he came home to hear Aubree “pushed”

the family’s “discipline”

this time, but it was probably the same deal. Another excuse to make her the

But really?

I do?” Aubree stared down

they acting like I owe

Ronald off.

disrespected. And he raised

stomach was screaming, but somehow she grabbed

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

yelled, letting

Aubree would’ve cried or begged. She’d never fought back like this. Everyone

“Then you pull out those gifts to rub it in? Trying to mess with her

face was

talked with your brothers,” he said. “Your inheritance?

up. “No, Dad, I’m fine. It’s not Aubree’s fault. Just a ‘sorry’ is

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