"Take them with food," I whispered. "They're strong."
Victoria clutched the pills to her chest like a treasure, while Alexander's expression softened as he looked at her.
"See? Lauren's finally being useful. In return, I'll allow you to keep the only photo of your deceased brother. The rest I'll burn tonight."
The moment he mentioned my brother, my knees nearly gave out. The photo was all I had left of him after Alexander's lawyers blocked me from even attending his funeral.
Victoria suddenly stood up with a glass of red wine in hand, and deliberately poured it over my white birthday dress—the last gift my parents had given me before they died. Then she fell on it and moaned dramatically.
Alexander immediately lifted her into his arms, cradling her like precious porcelain.
"Call the Healer immediately!" he barked at the housekeeper. "And get her some water!"
The urgency in his voice made everyone look at me with contempt, as if I'd somehow caused her discomfort.
I couldn't help but laugh bitterly inside.
Three days ago, when I had a severe allergic reaction because someone had deliberately filled my moisturizer with peanut oil—I'd begged Alexander to take me to the healer as my throat closed up. Instead, he locked me in the bathroom, telling the staff I was "having another episode" and needed to "calm down alone."
I was found unconscious hours later by the new gardener, who thankfully had medical training.
When I returned from the healer, Alexander had the gardener fired for "trespassing" in the main house.
Clutching my bag tighter, I turned to leave once more.
But Alexander's hand shot out, grabbing my hair and yanking me backward so hard I heard strands ripping from my scalp.
"Where do you think you're going? Victoria isn't feeling well because of the stress you've caused."
"I didn't—"
His open palm connected with my face before I could finish, the force sending me sprawling across the marble floor.
"Kiss her feet. Three times. Now."
My lip split from the impact, blood dripping onto the remains of my white dress.
Victoria stood over me, one hand protectively over her stomach, the other holding my medication hostage. She extended her foot, the expensive designer shoe inches from my bleeding mouth.
"Look what you've done," Alexander snarled. "You've upset her again with your selfishness. Kiss her feet and be grateful she's allowing you to do so."