Chapter 3

3.

Before I could finish a sentence, Seraphina threw herself into Dr. Quinn's arms. She cried like a victim.

"Uncle Quinn! Look! That woman terrified me. My PTSD is coming back!"

"I'm so scared. Does she want to kill me and take my place?"

Uncle? Dr. Quinn was her uncle?

The words hit me like a lightning bolt.

Dr. Quinn hugged Seraphina gently. He comforted her before looking at me like I was a dangerous animal.

He pushed his glasses up and spoke in a cold, professional tone.

"Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair, this girl… Chiara, is it? Her emotions are highly unstable."

"She shows clear signs of paranoia and violent tendencies."

"I recommend sending her to a high-security mental asylum for forced treatment immediately."

The afternoon sun streamed through the giant windows, but I felt like I was freezing to death.

I couldn't breathe. My whole body was shaking.

Seeing my despair, Chester walked over with a disgusting grin.

He knelt down and patted my cheek mockingly.

"Stop acting. You really are crazy, aren't you? You have delusions of grandeur?"

"You said we were poor? You want to go back to your island? Where is it? In a fairy tale?"

I looked up with blood-red eyes.

My father and my home were the only things I had left.

I wouldn't let this bastard insult them!

"Slap!"

I used every ounce of my remaining strength to hit Chester across the face.

The room went dead silent.

Chester held his cheek, shocked that I had dared to fight back.

Lydia was the first to react.

"You bitch! You rabid dog! How dare you hit my son?!"

She screamed and charged at me. She swung her hand, her diamond-encrusted nails aiming for my face.

"Rip!"

My cheek was sliced open. It burned like fire.

I felt the warm blood pouring down.

"Ugh! My diamond ring!"

Lydia didn't care about my face. She looked at the skin and blood under her nails with disgust.

"You got your filth on my custom ring! You could never afford to pay for this!"

I held my face and glared at her.

"I can't pay for the ring, but I can make sure you and your son end up in the ground with it."

Chester was fuming. He stood up, breathing heavily.

"Still talking back? Fine! Today I'll show you what hell feels like!"

"Tie her up! Gag her! Throw her in the basement!"

"No food. No water. Let's see how long she lasts!"

Barrett Sinclair stood there watching like a cold statue.

He didn't stop them. He just added a cold remark.

"Do it. Maybe she'll finally reflect on her behavior."

I looked at their twisted, ugly faces and spat blood at them.

"Rot in hell! None of you deserve to live!"

I pointed my finger at each of them.

"All of you! You're monsters hiding in expensive suits!"

"When my father gets here, none of you will escape!"

Chester laughed hysterically. He looked at me like I was a lunatic.

"Oh, I'm so scared! The island king is coming!"

His smile vanished. He barked at the guards. "What are you waiting for?! Tie her up! Throw her down!"

The massive guards moved in with wicked grins.

They grabbed my arms and twisted them behind my back.

"Get off me! You animals!"

I struggled and screamed.

But my voice was drowned out by the family's laughter.

"Stop! You can't do this to the young mistress!"

An elderly maid, Mrs. Higgins, suddenly ran into the room.