Chapter 11 Dominic was drowning in agony. Every time he closed his eyes, her final words played on repeat.[] My surprise is here.[] He held Vivienne's ashes against his chest, whispering apology after apology into the empty room.[] But sorry couldn't bring her back. Nothing could.[] The only way he could sleep was by drinking himself into oblivion, and even then, nightmares would jolt him awake within hours.[] When the doorbell rang, he didn't move.]] Eventually, a key turned in the lock.[] A figure stepped through the doorway, backlit by harsh sunlight. For one heart-stopping second, the shape looked like Vivienne.[] "Dom."] Leona's voice shattered the illusion. His head dropped as he hurled his tumbler across the room.[] CRASH! Glass exploded at Leona's feet before she'd even made it inside, followed by his voice-hoarse and venomous.[] "Get out! Get the hell out!"] She flinched but picked her way through the glass shards anyway. It had only been a few days, but Leona barely recognized him.[] Dominic looked like he'd aged a decade-hollow cheekbones, stubble, and gray streaks threading through his hair.[] "Dom, hey…" His bloodshot eyes finally shifted from Vivienne's urn to Leona's face.[] "What happened? Cameron moved out and won't talk to any of us. Mom and Dad are worried sick-" "I said get out! I don't want to see your face."[] Looking at Leona made him sick. If he'd just been stronger, if he'd told Vivienne the truth, maybe she'd still be alive.[] This was all on them. The whole goddamn family had blood on their hands.[] "I've missed you so much these past few days. 1-"]] She moved closer, reaching for lum, completely missing the murderous look in his eyes.[] Then she spotted the death certificate on the coffee table.[] Vivienne's name was printed in black and white.[] Chapter 11 For just a moment, pure satisfaction flashed across Leona's face before she quickly rearranged it into grief.] "Oh, Dom. I know you're hurting. Losing Viv like that… but she wouldn't want you destroying yourself over this."[] Her hand touched his arm, voice sickeningly sweet. "It's okay. You still have me. I'll always be here for you."[] CRACK!] The slap sent her reeling backward, hand flying to her cheek.] Leona stared at him in complete shock. The Dominic she knew was gentle, refined. For years, she'd basked in his devoted attention. - She'd practically considered him her fiancé.[] Before she could speak, his hand was around her throat. Terror flooded her system as she clawed at his fingers, gasping for air.] Just when she thought he was actually going to strangle her, Dominic finally let go. His voice was ice .] "Get. Out." Leona bolted without looking back.[] The house plunged back into darkness.] His phone rang again. "Mr. Ashford, this is Peaceful Gardens. According to Miss Carrington's wishes, she wanted to be laid to rest as soon as possible. When would you like to schedule the service?"] He'd been hanging up on these calls for days.[] But after seeing that flash of satisfaction on Leona's face, something nagged at him.[] "When did Vivienne purchase the plot?"] The date the manager gave him hit like a punch to the gut. It was the anniversary of her parents' and Leona's supposed deaths-the same day they'd tortured her, as always.] But hadn't Leona said Vivienne went there to vandalize their graves?] The pieces started falling into place. "That day-she said she wanted to buy a plot, not destroy anything, right?"[] "That's correct, sir." Dominic's breath caught. If that was a lie, then what else had been twisted? [] The house fire? Leona falling off the yacht? The hospital incident where Vivienne allegedly pushed Leona out a window?] No. None of it made sense. Thee All That for Her? With Terminal Cancer Lin Dane Playing their Games 8.3% Dipter 11 If Vivienne knew she was dying, why would she waste her final weeks fighting with Leona? Then he remembered the USB drive that had been with the medical report. He'd been too broken to look at it. But now…]] His hands shook as he plugged it into his laptop.[] What he found made his soul leave his body.[] Files. Videos. Evidence. Everything laid out in heartbreaking detail.] Unable to contain his rage, he grabbed the drive and stormed out, heading straight for the Carrington house. ( 0) (0) Chapter 12