Matilda wasn't always a smoker . : 96 55 vouchers Back in the day , she was a star - straight - A student , drop - dead gorgeous , the kind of girl who owned any room she walked into . But losing her parents crushed her , locking her in a dark place she couldn't escape . That was when cigarettes became her crutch . Brandon understood why she'd changed , but he couldn't stand how cold and biting she'd gotten . Shelby , his little sister , had only been back from abroad for two months , and already Matilda treated her like the enemy . ' How could a woman so heartless still make my heart ache ? ' he thought . With a hard look , Brandon turned and slipped back into their bedroom . Matilda caught his icy stare and flashed a bitter , self - mocking smirk . Everyone called Brandon the perfect husband . But she knew the real him - this guy could hold a grudge like nobody's business . When he was mad , he'd give her the cold shoulder . And when he did talk , it was only because of their unspoken rule : Matilda's always right . Even then , his words were laced with resentment . At night , Brandon planned to freeze her out . But Lola's words stuck with him , and he spoke , his voice like gravel . " Birthdays are for the real day , Matilda . Lola's done with celebrating early this year . " Matilda stopped short , blindsided . Lola's birthday was special , and every year , Matilda planned it three days early , pulling out all the stops to make her daughter's dreams come true . Each time , Lola would throw her arms around her , grinning ear to ear , saying , " You're the best , Mom ! Thank you ! " But this year was off . " It's Shelby's doing , isn't it ? " Matilda said , her tone sharp with certainty . Brandon's temper flared . " Why's it always gotta be her fault ? It's been five years since your parents passed , Matilda . " When are you gonna climb out of that hole you're stuck in ? " Matilda's fists balled up , her chest tight , like a boulder was crushing her heart . 9:12 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 2 That night , she dreamed of the Domburgh earthquake five years ago . ༦ ( 96 ) 55 vouchers Her mother had shielded her , pregnant and helpless , from collapsing rubble , giving her life to save Matilda's . She woke up crying , her face wet with tears . The bed beside her was empty . Brandon stood by the big window , phone pressed to his ear . " Shelby , what's wrong ? Don't cry - just tell me . You okay ? Where are you ? " His face was pure panic . Without even swapping his pajamas for real clothes , he bolted out the door . ' But Brandon , ' Matilda thought , her heart splintering , ' didn't you see me falling apart too ? ' Her hope burned to ashes . She slid off her wedding ring and chucked it in the trash . At the crack of dawn , Matilda trudged downstairs . Shelby , waiting like she'd planned the whole thing , walked over with a fancy covered tray . " I'm sorry , Matilda . I know I shouldn't be here , but I was so worried about Brandon and Lola . " Matilda gave her a sidelong glare . " Worried , huh ? What's your angle , Shelby ? You trying to slide in and play house with him ? " Shelby , seeing no one else around , dropped her sweet act . A sly grin spread across her face . " Guess you've got me pegged . You gonna step aside and give me a shot ? " Matilda's sharp , elegant features turned cold as ice . " Don't get mad , " Shelby purred , her voice all fake honey . " I shouldn't have dragged Brandon away last night . I baked these to make it up to you . " Matilda saw right through Shelby's fake tears and started to walk away . But Shelby's voice turned low and mocking . " Rose ... petal ... cookies . " Matilda froze , her blood turning to ice . Before the earthquake , her mother had teased her , begging for her homemade rose petal cookies . Matilda had brushed her off , too wrapped up to bother . Her dad , always spoiling her mom , went out to buy some instead . Then the earthquake hit . Her mother used her body to shield Matilda and her unborn baby , her own body crushed beyond recognition . Yet she'd smiled through the agony , whispering , " Good thing you didn't make those cookies , sweetie . Gives 9:12 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 2 : me something to dream about on the other side . " : Tears welled in Matilda's eyes . She hadn't touched rose petal cookies since . The roses in their garden hadn't bloomed since that day either . " Thy one , " Shelby said , her smile sugary and cruel . " How're my rose petal cookies ? " ( 96 ) 155 vouchers Matilda knew Shelby was twisting the knife on purpose . Brandon must've spilled her deepest wound to his sister . " Get out , " Matilda hissed through gritted teeth . Shelby played deaf . " You know , your parents ' memorial is coming up . I figured I'd do something nice , bring these cookies to your mom's grave . " Maybe it'll help her rest easy , find a better life next time . " Matilda's rage erupted . She spun around and slapped Shelby hard across the face . Shelby stumbled , the tray crashing to the floor , her cheek swelling fast . But she just clutched her face and laughed , like she'd won some twisted game . Matilda glanced at the spilled tray . Jasmine cookies , not rose petal ones . Shelby had lied to set her off . She steadied herself , her voice like steel . " Think you can play me ? You're gonna pay a bigger price than that . " Before Shelby could blink , Matilda slapped her other cheek , the crack ringing out like a whip . She grabbed a jasmine cookie and shoved it into Shelby's mouth . " Didn't Brandon teach you to respect the dead ? You're gonna regret that one . " Brandon , hearing the commotion , raced downstairs with Lola in tow . " Matilda ! " he roared , his face dark with fury . He grabbed her arm and yanked her back . Matilda , caught off guard , slammed into a glass cabinet , pain shooting through her back as she winced . " Brandon ! " Shelby whimpered , tears streaming , looking like the world's biggest victim . Brandon reached to touch Shelby's swollen cheek but stopped , afraid of hurting her more . His eyes burned as he glared at Matilda . " Say you're sorry . Now . " Matilda , biting back the pain , locked eyes with him , her gaze fierce . " This man isn't just blind - he is heartless , picking his scheming sister's side without even asking what happened ! " Here's a deal , " she said , her voice cool and cutting . " How about you two get on your knees and listen up ? " Brandon's face turned to stone . " Matilda , I love you , but I won't let you treat Shelby like this . " 9:13 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 2 ... He grabbed Shelby's wrist , raised it , and swung . The slap cracked across Matilda's cheek , leaving a stinging red handprint . The room went dead silent . ( 96 ) 55 vouchers Matilda heard her heart shatter , piece by jagged piece , beyond repair . She let out a low , bitter laugh , a dangerous edge in her eyes . She grabbed Brandon's arm , stepped in , pivoted , and with one swift move , threw him over her shoulder , slamming him to the floor . Lola burst into sobs , screaming , " Bad Mommy ! You hit Aunt Shelby and hurt Daddy ! Get out ! Leave our house ! " A wave of pain crashed through Matilda . Her eyes blazed red as she glared down at Brandon . " Brandon , " she said , her voice steady but deadly . " We're through . " AD Comment Send gift No Ads 9:13 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 3