Chapter 14

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“Natasha, you’re insane! You actually burned down your grandma’s house.” Madeline’s voice was on the verge of breaking.

They had expected Natasha to get angry, maybe even fight for the house, but they never imagined she’d be ruthless enough to torch the only memento her grandma left her.

When she got the call from the fire department that morning, she could hardly believe her ears.

“That was the place where your grandparents fell in love! How could you be so heartless? You said it meant everything to you, and you’d take care of it forever. And now look what you’ve done!” Madeline shouted.

Officially, it was labeled an accident, but they all knew–Natasha did it on purpose.

It couldn’t be a coincidence. She’d just beaten up Olivia last night, and today the house went up in flames.

Because they were going to give the house to Olivia, and since she couldn’t have it, she decided to destroy it.

For the first time, Madeline realized just how extreme her youngest daughter could be.

Natasha chuckled. “So, you all knew exactly how much it meant to me? And yet you still chose to go against Grandma’s wishes.”

“We had our reasons.” Madeline faltered.

“I don’t care about your reasons.” Natasha raised her voice. “To me, burning it down is still better than gifting it to a murderer.”

“Natasha! Watch your words!” Madeline shrieked, heartbroken. “Your grandma’s death was an accident–why can’t you accept that? Olivia is also your grandma’s granddaughter. Why would she ever harm Grandma? Don’t let jealousy cloud your judgment.”

Natasha didn’t want to argue. She had no proof, and they wouldn’t believe her anyway.

Madeline kept ranting. “Do you even realize arson is a crime? That house meant so much to Olivia, and you beat her up so badly she ended up in the ER last night…”

“Umhmm,” Natasha cut her off. “Then call the cops.”

Silence reigned. Then, furious and helpless, Madeline added, “You know damn well we won’t call the cops. Natasha, what’s gotten into you? You are not the daughter I knew.”

Natasha had indeed called their bluff. If the house had already been transferred to Olivia, things might’ve been different.

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Chapter 14

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still under Madeline’s name, Madeline’d never be petty enough to report her own

that kind of shame. This whole

with ice. “Perfect, then let’s start over and get to know me again. From now on, Natasha won’t be the one you can emotionally blackmail anymore.

think.”

mother–daughter talk ended on a

a few seconds before turning to Alexei, who had dropped his smile and was

Arson isn’t a threat to me, so

saved me not because you were forced, but because you were

Natasha momentarily speechless. “Seriously, has anyone

“Well, now you did.”

this place won’t exactly be quiet,” Natasha

revealing family drama in front of strangers isn’t

smartest move.”

voice. “All alone–perfect for murder and body

“I’d haunt you after I

female ghost. If you’re offering, Miss Clark, I wouldn’t mind

romance.”

“You’re seriously twisted.”

to

the banter, Alexei

only gave him a harmless, kitten–like kick before storming off to her room for a nap, Alexei

a demon? That was

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Chapter 14

*****

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in her tiny apartment with the curtains

been settled yet,

some resilience; otherwise, Andrew might’ve

from back then had turned into such a

that determined to make life hard for Olivia? But weren’t we just trying to atone for her mistakes? Otherwise, how bad would the rumors get?‘ he thought to

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