Accusations filled the air, painting me as the most shameless, filthy woman in the room—worse than when I had been cast out of the Jones family.
Sophia’s furious scream tore through the hall. She stormed forward in her high heels and kicked me hard in the knee.
Before I could react, two people grabbed my arms, holding me in place.
Sophia seized my chin, her nails digging into my skin.
"Why do you always act so high and mighty? It makes me want to grind you into the dirt!"
She lifted a wine glass and smirked. "This drink is spiked. Tonight, I’ll make sure Elijah is completely disgusted by you."
As I stared at her, realization dawned on me—both Emily and I had walked right into her trap.
"The trick doesn’t need to be new," she sneered. "As long as it works."
"Yvonne, you’re not as smart as he claims you are." Sophia taunted.
I struggled desperately as my phone rang in my pocket—the one I used exclusively to stay in touch with my mother’s caretaker at the hospital.
Realizing that something must have happened to her, I panicked. My eyes darted to the drugged wine about to be forced down my throat. From somewhere deep within, I found the strength to lunge forward, headbutting Sophia and knocking her over.
Before I could react, Elijah surged forward and slapped me across the face.
A sharp, deafening ring echoed in my ears. My mind went blank.
"Yvonne, who gave you the right to lay a hand on her?" he roared.
While I was still reeling, he snatched my phone from my pocket and held it high above his head.
"Give it back! Elijah, I’m begging you—please, just give it back!" I pleaded.
"That call... it’s my mom.. "
I stood on tiptoe, reaching for the phone, but it was no use. Elijah dangled it just out of my grasp, a cruel smirk playing on his lips as he toyed with me.
Lately, my mother’s condition had worsened. Nine times out of ten, she was unconscious when I visited.
Even her stool had turned black with blood. The doctor already warned me about the end-stage symptoms.
She was already beyond saving. I was just using money to buy time.
The ringing stopped.
A few seconds later, Emily’s frantic voice came through, "Bad news! The hospital says your mom’s in critical condition—you need to get there now!"
As soon as I heard that, I turned and bolted for the door. Nothing else mattered.
But just as I reached it, I hesitated. I spun around and looked at Elijah.
"Can you... lend me some more money?"