Chapter 11 After a week of milking pity in the hospital , Beckley finally brought me to his villa . Our villa . My new kingdom . The same place where I used to grind my teeth every time I saw Claire walking these halls like she owned them . But not anymore . She was gone . Dead . Eaten by fish . Only me now . The queen of his empire . I held his arm tight as we walked in , leaning against him like a fragile wife - to - be who needed protection . But inside ? My blood was dancing . The first night , I called the maids into the living room . They bowed , waiting for orders . I looked at them , slow and cold . " Every piece of Claire's trash in this villa ? Throw it out . Clothes , shoes , perfumes , everything . I don't want to see her shadow here . " One of them stammered , " But sir might- " I cut her off . " Did you not hear me ? I said throw it out . " Then I smirked , leaning back against the couch . " Well ... except the jewelry , the designer dresses , shoes , and the bags . Pack those neatly . I'll wear them myself . Let's see who looks better in them , me or her ." The maids exchanged glances but nodded . I tapped my finger on the glass table . " And the wedding photos ? Burn them . Replace them with the photos Beckley and I took before . I want this villa to breathe on my face , not hers . " They scrambled away , obeying . I watched them with a smile that could cut glass . Inside my head , I asked myself , Do you see this , Claire ? Do you see me now ? This is my house . My man . My crown . You're ashes at the bottom of an aquarium , and I'm here in silk sheets . Later , when Beckley stepped out for a business call , I slipped into my private room and locked the door. My heart raced , not with fear , but with excitement . I dialed Judas . His voice came low , hungry . " I miss you , Fresca . What's the matter , too busy playing house with Beckley ? Don't forget why you wanted him in the first place . You hated your cousin for marrying rich . " I laughed softly , stretching out on the bed . " I didn't just want his money , Judas . I wanted to ruin her . To erase her . And guess what ? She's gone . Beckley's mine . His name , his bed , his money . All mine . " He chuckled . " So when do I get to see you again ? I've been starving for you . " 8:57 Thu , Oct 16 house with Beckley ? Don't forget why you wanted him in the first place . You hated your cousin for marrying rich . " I laughed softly , stretching out on the bed . " I didn't just want his money , Judas . I wanted to ruin her . To erase her . And guess what ? She's gone . Beckley's mine . His name , his bed , his money . All mine . " He chuckled . " So when do I get to see you again ? I've been starving for you . " My lips curled . " Soon . Very soon . He thinks I'm too weak to move around , but the truth is I'm burning . I want you . " There was silence for a beat , then Judas's tone shifted , teasing but sharp . " I heard you're pregnant . Tell me , Fresca . Who's the father ? Is it me or him ? " I let out a low , wicked laugh . " How the hell should I know ? Could be his , could be yours . We'll only know once the baby's born . Does it matter ? Whoever's blood it is , Beckley will raise it like it's his heir . That's the sweetest part ." My mind hissed with questions I already knew the answers to . Would Beckley still worship me if he knew the truth ? Would he kill me ? Or would he swallow the lie because he needs me too much ? Judas cleared his throat , amused . " You're insane , babe ." " Insane enough to win , " I whispered . Then , sharper : " Listen . My Beckley will be out for another meeting tomorrow . Sneak into the villa . Pretend you're pest control . Termites or whatever . Once you're inside ... " I paused , smirking at the ceiling , " ... we'll have our foreplay game again . Just like old times . " His laugh spilled through the phone , dark and hungry . " You're wicked , Fresca . That's why I can't quit you . Anything for you , babe . I'll be there . " I ended the call , tossing the phone on the bed . My chest rose and fell with pure satisfaction . Beckley thinks he owns me . Judas thinks he's my partner in crime . The truth ? I own them both . And when the baby comes , no matter whose seed it is , Beckley will guard it like treasure . And me ? I'll rule this empire with one hand while the other keeps Judas in my bed . I closed my eyes and laughed quietly . The world was finally bending to me . I still remember that family gathering when we were kids . Everyone was circling around Claire like she was some little princess . " Oh , Claire , you're so polite . Such a pretty girl . You'll be the pride of this family one . day ," one of the aunts cooed . 38.1 %%% 8:57 . TULASI§ . rüm you . 国 There was silence for a beat , then Judas's tone shifted , teasing but sharp . " I heard . you're pregnant . Tell me , Fresca . Who's the father ? Is it me or him ? " I let out a low , wicked laugh . " How the hell should I know ? Could be his , could be yours . We'll only know once the baby's born . Does it matter ? Whoever's blood it is , Beckley will raise it like it's his heir . That's the sweetest part ." My mind hissed with questions I already knew the answers to . Would Beckley still worship me if he knew the truth ? Would he kill me ? Or would he swallow the lie because he needs me too much ? Judas cleared his throat , amused . " You're insane , babe . " " Insane enough to win , " I whispered . Then , sharper : " Listen . My Beckley will be out for another meeting tomorrow . Sneak into the villa . Pretend you're pest control . Termites or whatever . Once you're inside ... " I paused , smirking at the ceiling , " ... we'll have our foreplay game again . Just like old times . " His laugh spilled through the phone , dark and hungry . " You're wicked , Fresca . That's why I can't quit you . Anything for you , babe . I'll be there . " I ended the call , tossing the phone on the bed . My chest rose and fell with pure satisfaction . Beckley thinks he owns me . Judas thinks he's my partner in crime . The truth ? I own them both . And when the baby comes , no matter whose seed it is , Beckley will guard it like treasure . And me ? I'll rule this empire with one hand while the other keeps Judas . in my bed . I closed my eyes and laughed quietly . The world was finally bending to me . -- I still remember that family gathering when we were kids . Everyone was circling around Claire like she was some little princess . " Oh , Claire , you're so polite . Such a pretty girl . You'll be the pride of this family one day , " one of the aunts cooed . My fists clenched on my lap . I was right there , wearing the same stupid dress from the same stupid shop . Why couldn't they look at me that way ? So I grabbed the juice pitcher and " accidentally " tilted it right over her lap . Red stains spread all over her frilly white dress . I thought finally , finally they'd yell at her . 8:57 Thu , Oct 16 Chapter 11 After a week of milking pity in the hospital , Beckley finally brought me to his villa . Our villa . My new kingdom . The same place where I used to grind my teeth every time I saw Claire walking these halls like she owned them . But not anymore . She was gone . Dead . Eaten by fish . Only me now . The queen of his empire . I held his arm tight as we walked in , leaning against him like a fragile wife - to - be who needed protection . But inside ? My blood was dancing . The first night , I called the maids into the living room . They bowed , waiting for orders . I looked at them , slow and cold . " Every piece of Claire's trash in this villa ? Throw it out . Clothes , shoes , perfumes , everything . I don't want to see her shadow here ." One of them stammered , " But sir might- " I cut her off . " Did you not hear me ? I said throw it out . " Then I smirked , leaning back against the couch . " Well ... except the jewelry , the designer dresses , shoes , and the bags . Pack those neatly . I'll wear them myself . Let's see who looks better in them , me or her ." The maids exchanged glances but nodded . I tapped my finger on the glass table . " And the wedding photos ? Burn them . Replace them with the photos Beckley and I took before . I want this villa to breathe on my face , not hers . " They scrambled away , obeying . I watched them with a smile that could cut glass . Inside my head , I asked myself , Do you see this , Claire ? Do you see me now ? This is my house . My man . My crown . You're ashes at the bottom of an aquarium , and I'm here in silk sheets . Later , when Beckley stepped out for a business call , I slipped into my private room and locked the door . My heart raced , not with fear , but with excitement . I dialed Judas . His voice came low , hungry . " I miss you , Fresca . What's the matter , too busy playing house with Beckley ? Don't forget why you wanted him in the first place . You hated your cousin for marrying rich . " I laughed softly , stretching out on the bed . " I didn't just want his money , Judas . I wanted to ruin her . To erase her . And guess what ? She's gone . Beckley's mine . His name , his bed , his money . All mine . " He chuckled . " So when do I get to see you again ? I've been starving for you . " 8:57 Thu , Oct 16 My lips curled . " Soon . Very soon . He thinks I'm too weak to move around , but the truth is I'm burning . I want you . " There was silence for a beat , then Judas's tone shifted , teasing but sharp . " I heard you're pregnant . Tell me , Fresca . Who's the father ? Is it me or him ? " I let out a low , wicked laugh . " How the hell should I know ? Could be his , could be yours . We'll only know once the baby's born . Does it matter ? Whoever's blood it is , Beckley will raise it like it's his heir . That's the sweetest part ." My mind hissed with questions I already knew the answers to . Would Beckley still worship me if he knew the truth ? Would he kill me ? Or would he swallow the lie because he needs me too much ? Judas cleared his throat , amused . " You're insane , babe . " " Insane enough to win , " I whispered . Then , sharper : " Listen . My Beckley will be out for another meeting tomorrow . Sneak into the villa . Pretend you're pest control . Termites or whatever . Once you're inside ... " I paused , smirking at the ceiling , " ... we'll have our foreplay game again . Just like old times . " His laugh spilled through the phone , dark and hungry . " You're wicked , Fresca . That's why I can't quit you . Anything for you , babe . I'll be there . " I ended the call , tossing the phone on the bed . My chest rose and fell with pure satisfaction . Beckley thinks he owns me . Judas thinks he's my partner in crime . The truth ? I own them both . And when the baby comes , no matter whose seed it is , Beckley will guard it like treasure . And me ? I'll rule this empire with one hand while the other keeps Judas in my bed . I closed my eyes and laughed quietly . The world was finally bending to me . I still remember that family gathering when we were kids . Everyone was circling around Claire like she was some little princess . " Oh , Claire , you're so polite . Such a pretty girl . You'll be the pride of this family one day , " one of the aunts cooed . My fists clenched on my lap . I was right there , wearing the same stupid dress from the same stupid shop . Why couldn't they look at me that way ? So I grabbed the juice pitcher and " accidentally " tilted it right over her lap . Red stains spread all over her frilly white dress . I thought finally , finally they'd yell at her . But no . The whole room gasped , and all I heard was , " Oh , poor Claire , what a shame . What a 8:57 Thu , Oct 16 The whole room gasped , and all I heard was , " Oh , poor Claire , what a shame . What a shame your lovely dress got ruined . " And just like that , they fussed over her again , dabbing her skirt , comforting her like she was some little angel . Nobody even looked at me . I kept my smile sharp , leaned in close when no one was listening , and whispered under my breath , " Why is it always you , Claire ? Why not me ? " She didn't hear it . But I meant every word . Years later , in school , it was the same story . Claire shining , me stuck in her shadow . She never even tried . Teachers loved her , classmates admired her , and I ... well , I had to fight for everything . 1 That day we had an exam , I slipped a little cheat sheet into my sleeve . No one would know . I needed that grade , just once to prove I could be better . But of course Claire had to ruin it . The teacher was about to leave when she piped up in her perfect sweet voice , " Sir , don't forget to collect the test papers ." The teacher turned , saw the extra sheet half sticking out , and his eyes went wide . " Fresca ! Are you cheating ? " The whole class erupted in whispers and snickers . Heat rushed to my face as the teacher ripped the paper away . " You're punished for this . And I'll be calling your parents ," he snapped . Humiliation clawed at my throat . My parents later compared me again . " Why can't you be like Claire ? Look how hardworking she is . " I cornered her in the hallway , my voice sharp , shaking . " You ruined me ! You just can't stand me shining , can you ? "