Back at the villa, the yard was ruined earth. The peach trees—once vibrant—had been uprooted, leaving ugly, gaping pits.
A memory surfaced: the year Victor got into No. 1 High School, Grandma Weston died. He'd wept all night by her grave. Terrified he'd abandon everything, I'd asked, "Victor, will you stay?"
He'd gripped my hand. "My home is wherever you and Joel Sullivan are. Silly girl, I'm not going anywhere."
Tears pricked my eyes. My voice rasped. "Victor, with Georgia Kaufman living here now... is this still the home you wanted?"
He looked down at me, Adam's apple bobbing. Before he could speak, Georgia's voice drifted from upstairs.
"Victor! I found the graduation photos! You looked so young!"
She bounded down, but froze when she saw me. The photos disappeared behind her back.
I released Victor's hand and stepped toward her, palm extended.
"Give them to me."
She glanced at Victor, panic flickering in her eyes.
"Give it to me!" I roared.
I couldn't fathom the depths of their depravity. Their relationship had crossed the line as far back as her college entrance exams—when she was barely legal and I was her sponsor.
I snatched the photo. The moment it registered, my legs gave out. I slid to the floor.
In the image, they were naked. Georgia curled in Victor's arms, flushed with post-coital warmth. But it was the look in his eyes that gutted me—tender enough to melt ice.
Georgia fidgeted, pinching her fingers as she leaned into Victor's side, playing victim.
"I didn't do it on purpose, Grace. I didn't know you'd find out... I didn't mean to show off."
Her excuses became white noise. My focus narrowed to the man beside her. I forced myself up, staggering toward him step by step.
I slammed the photo into his chest. "Victor Weston, is this how you repay me?"
His expression stayed cold, unrepentant. "She's been by my side since high school. You watched her grow up. You know she relies on me."
"You're worse than an animal," I spat, voice trembling. "No—that insults animals. You should've spent your life in the gutter, scavenging rotting scraps."
His jaw tightened, but I wasn't done. I wanted to bleed him.
"Your parents must've known what a monster they raised. That's why they died early—to escape the shame. You don't deserve to eat trash, let alone stand here like a human being."