Chapter 205

The moment Isabella escaped from Alexander's embrace, sleep became impossible.

Her elbow burned from the scrapes, raw and oozing. The pain was sharp enough to make her bite her lip until it bled.

She couldn't tell anyone—she'd sneaked out. Digging through the first aid kit, she bandaged herself clumsily. Then she curled into bed, clutching her teddy bear, twisting in the sheets until dawn.

Memories flooded her restless mind.

The cafeteria bathroom, where they forced her to eat alone.

The boys lifting her at Evelyn's command, tossing her into the dumpster.

The dead rat in her backpack.

Her favorite novel, shredded by Evelyn's hands, pages scattering in the wind.

The piano in the music room, keys stained with ink.

Nightmares she'd never escape.

Evelyn. Alexander.

Was he really her brother?

Tears streaked Isabella's pale cheeks. She buried her face in the blankets, silent sobs shaking her until morning.

Isabella wasn't naive.

Even if Alexander was Evelyn's brother, he'd saved her. Without him, she'd have died in that car crash.

That afternoon, she crept into the kitchen. Following an online recipe, she baked a blueberry mousse cake. She'd ask Sebastian to deliver it—a thank-you.

Satisfied, she stored it in the fridge, dusted flour off her hands, and turned toward her room.

The door creaked open.

Her smile died.

There sat Victoria, legs crossed, smirking.

A chill crawled down Isabella's spine.

"Cat got your tongue?" Victoria examined her manicure. "Or are you just slow?"

"Victoria." The name tasted bitter.

"Let's go out tonight." Victoria's smile turned saccharine.

"No. I'm not fun." Isabella kept her eyes down.

"Suit yourself."

Victoria stood, oozing mockery. "I was being nice. But if you'd rather stay in your cage..."

She sauntered out.

Isabella exhaled and stepped inside.

Then froze.

Her bed—pillows flipped, blankets torn.

Her teddy bear, Evadne's gift, was gone.

"Victoria!"

Her sister never visited without malice.

She'd taken it.

Isabella bolted downstairs, sweat soaking her shirt.

Outside, Victoria lounged in the car, the butler shutting her door.

"Give it back!" Isabella screamed.

Victoria rolled down the window. With a taunting grin, she dangled the bear.

"Drive."

The engine roared. Tires screeched.

Isabella chased the vanishing taillights. "Victoria! Please!"

She crumpled, a mother robbed of her child. Even the butler winced.

"Get me a car." Her voice was steel.

First time she'd ever commanded like an Abernathy.

"But Ms. Victoria said—"

"I'm Frederic's daughter too!" Her eyes blazed. "Now move!"

The butler scrambled.

Night swallowed the city.

In Sapphire Nights' VIP room, Evelyn held court with Elmsworth's elite. Cigarette dangling, she looked more mob boss than debutante.

Studying abroad had left her with few local friends—just these middle school cronies. All had tormented Isabella under her orders.

"Wonder what the freak's up to," someone drawled.

"Mom says she's mentally ill," another snickered. "Locked up like Rapunzel."

"Explains why she was so weird!"

Evelyn blew a smoke ring. "Autistic, actually."

Peals of laughter.

Evelyn smirked.

The door swung open.

Victoria entered.

Silence.

"Relax," Evelyn waved. "She's with us."

Victoria gaped. Evelyn's act—sweet, refined—was gone.

What would Alexander think of his sister now?

"Where's Isabella?" Evelyn pouted.

"Being difficult." Victoria sighed, then grinned. She held up the bear. "But she'll come."

Evelyn's eyes lit. "New game?"

"Wait and see."

Isabella's car arrived moments later.

The club's neon lights pulsed. Crowds jostled. Her hands shook.

She dialed Victoria.

"What now?" The line buzzed with bass.

"My bear." Isabella's voice cracked.

"That ugly thing? It's hiding."

"Where?"

"Here, obviously." Victoria's laugh was venom. "Find it, or it stays lost forever."

Rage burned Isabella's tears dry.

She stepped into the chaos.