“Tiffany said she was doing it for your own
good. Why are you accusing her? Shouldn’t you
be thanking her?”
“Maybe all those abortions messed with her
head…”
They whispered and snickered.
My face burned. “Tiffany’s generous with MY
family’s money! You…”
Jason grabbed my wrist, his voice menacing.
“Enough! Stop embarrassing yourself.”
“Tiffany grew up in our house. She’s practically
our sister. You’re slapping her in the face,
which means you’re slapping ME in the face!”
I stared at the veins bulging on his forehead
and slapped him hard across the face. “THAT’S
what slapping you in the face looks like.”
I picked up my phone and frantically dialed my
mom’s number. It went straight to voicemail. I
tried again and again. My heart sank.
Everything happened so fast last time. But now,
I realized something. My mom hadn’t been around for any of this. Something was wrong.
Ignoring Jason and Tiffany, ignoring my
sneering classmates, ignoring the eight–million-
dollar yacht, I backed away and called my
grandma
<
Her voice was strong and warm. “Sweetie,
when are you coming to visit?”
I quickly explained. “Grandma, Mom’s missing. I
think Dad, Jason, and the nanny are involved.
Jason and Tiffany sold my yacht, but that’s not
the most important thing. We need to find
Mom!”
As I spoke, I bumped into someone. It was
Ethan.
Jason and Tiffany caught up. Seeing Ethan, Tiffany’s eyes welled up. “Ethan, Ashley’s been so mean to me! I donated millions to the temple for her, so you two could have a happy
marriage, but she’s accusing me of wasting
money! She even hit Jason! Please, talk to her!”
Tiffany looked sweet and innocent with tears
streaming down her face. Ethan’s protective instincts kicked in. He glared at me.
“Ashley you’re out of linel Apologize to Tiffany
<
“Ashley, you’re out of line! Apologize to Tiffany,
right now! Or I’m breaking off the engagement,
on behalf of my family.”
I looked at them, lined up like last time, ready to
destroy me. I gritted my teeth. “Apologize? You
think I’d apologize to you?”
Tiffany started sobbing louder. Jason and Ethan
fussed over her.
I slipped away and ran to the police station.
The police were stunned when I told them about
the stolen yacht. After confirming I wasn’t
delusional, they finally agreed to investigate.
As I left the station, Tiffany called.
“Where’d you run off to cry, dear sister? Not
used to being beneath me, are you?”
Her voice dripped with smugness. I snorted.
<
“I want you to know that your fiancé is mine
now. Your brother, too. Everything you had is
mine. Everyone’s on my side now. Just give up
and say goodbye to your yacht.”
I hung up and turned to the officer who had
escorted me out. “Did you hear that?”
While the police investigated, I went to stay
with my grandma for safety.
She hugged me tight the moment she saw me.
“Sweetie, what have they done to you?”
I sniffed back tears. “I’m okay, Grandma. Have
you heard anything about Mom?”
She stroked my hair, about to speak, when the
front door burst open. It was my dad and Jason.
Dad’s face was livid. “Ashley! After all the
disgusting things you’ve done, you have the
nerve to hide here? Come home, apologize to
<
I stood tall, meeting his gaze. “A nanny’s
daughter makes up some lies, and you think I’m
disgusting? If it’s that easy to slander someone,
then I think Tiffany and her whole family are
dirty. And give me back my yacht! It’s
Grandma’s gift to me.”
Dad’s face turned red. He reached for me. “I
know what kind of person Tiffany is! She did it
for your own good! You ungrateful brat, come
home and stay in your room!”
Grandma stepped in front of me, leaning on her
cane. “Robert, you think you’re so high and
mighty now, you don’t even call me Mom
anymore?”
Dad’s anger seemed to cool. His face went
from red to a sickly pale, then a smirk spread
across his lips. “Mom, I’m just disciplining my daughter. Please, stay out of this.”
Grandma scoffed. “Robert. Ashley is our family.
