He still held me , his scent different now - tainted by something I couldn't quite name , something that had never belonged to me . I turned my face away and caught sight of a tattoo inked along his collarbone - a string of numbers . Their birthdays . The same day as my mother's death . Her final words echoed in my head , and quietly , without a sound , I slipped out of his embrace . But he stuffed a check into my hand - eight million dollars . " They like this villa . Why don't you move out for now? " I took the check and replied softly , " Alright . Then handed him the bottle of medication in my other hand . His gaze warmed instantly , and he reached for my hand . " Elise ... " But just then , a shrill , gleeful laughter rang out from outside the door . Something was wrong . Panic flooded my chest as I bolted out the door . There they were - Blair and Lila - kicking at my rabbit over and over again as she lay trembling on the ground . I shoved them away , tears breaking free at last . " Daisy ! Daisy ! " She was barely breathing but still tried to twitch her little nose , sniffing gently at my hand . Blair and Lila stood there , unfazed , arms crossed like they were watching a dull show . " Oh , that's your rabbit ? We thought some stray wandered in our house . " Chapter 3 Download 9.84 % Why are you still here ? Didn't Travis tell you to leave ? " I stood up and slapped Blair hard across the face . A second later , another slap landed on me- Lila's eyes welled with tears the moment she saw Travis appear . " Travis ! She hit my sister ! " He stared at the palm of his own hand in a daze , then looked at me , guilt flashing across his expression . " Elise , I ... I didn't mean to ... " Blair gave a cold , amused laugh . " This is how the great Mr. Langley shows his sincerity ? Still can't let go of his ex - wife after the divorce ? " " Well , Lila and I can't be with a man who's tangled up with someone else . " " We're respectable women . We don't ' do ' mistress . " Then she glanced sideways at me , a cutting smile curling on her lips . " Unlike some people ... Can't take a hint after the divorce . Is this what they call ' classy ' in high society ? " Travis's face froze . " Elise , apologize to Blair and Lila . " Snow began to fall . I knelt down and cradled Daisy's small , trembling body . She was already stiffening in the cold . My eyes turned red , and I met his gaze , voice low and unshakable . " They killed my rabbit . " They killed the rabbit who'd been with me for ten years . The last thing my mother had left me in this world . Travis's eyes flickered with concern , but Lila suddenly grabbed Blair's arm . " Travis , it was that damn mutt ! It attacked her first ! " I felt rage boil in my chest . Daisy was gentle - she would never attack without reason . Travis knelt beside Blair and took her hand gently . " Does it hurt ? " Blair turned her face away . " What does it matter if it hurts ? The one responsible won't suffer anyway . " Travis's voice was full of indulgence . " My sweet little angel ... What do you want me to do ? " Blair cast a wicked look at me . " Since your ex - wife feels so connected to that animal ... why not let her spend a night in the cage too ? " Chapter 3