Chapter 15 His voice cracked with anger. "She was poisoned. In the hospital. And the one who did it... was Maisie." The world dropped out from under me. My knees gave way, the tablet hit the floor. "No... no, no, no..." My chest felt like it was tearing apart. Peter reached for me, panicked. "Annette! Hey! Breathe! Look at me!" But I couldn't hear him anymore. My heart screamed too loud. My baby. My sweet baby. Poisoned. The pain was so sharp I couldn't hold it. Darkness pulled me down, my body collapsing, his voice echoing faint in the distance. And then there was silence. I dreamt of her. My little girl. Smiling at me, reaching for me. Just us, bathed in a light that felt nothing like this world. Her voice was the first thing I heard, small and broken, "Mommy... mommy..." She was lying on that hospital bed again, tiny arms flailing, eyes searching for me like I had abandoned her. My chest squeezed so hard I could barely breathe. "I'm here, baby. Mommy's right here." I ran to her side, reaching for her hand, but when I touched her it felt like smoke, slipping through my fingers. Her tears streamed down her cheeks. "It hurts... mommy it hurts." "No, no, no. Don't cry. You're gonna be okay." My voice cracked, desperate, begging God, begging anyone. Then the door creaked, and Maisie walked in. Not as a nurse, not as a stranger, but like a shadow that had always been there. She was holding a syringe, her smile curved like poison. My daughter whimpered, "Mommy, help me..." Maisie leaned close to her, pressing the needle into the IV line with slow delight. "Poor little girl," she sang softly, "mommy won't save you. Mommy's too weak. Mommy's too stupid." I tried to scream, to tear her away, but my body wouldn't move. I was frozen, stuck watching. My daughter's cries shook the walls, "Mommy! Please! Mommy, don't let me die!" Maisie laughed, cruel and sharp, "Do you know what happens when you die, sweetheart? Mommy will lose her mind. She'll cry every night. And your daddy-oh, he'll hate her for it. He'll call her cursed. He'll never look at her the same again." "No! Stop!" I begged, clawing at the air, my voice raw. "Don't touch her, take me instead, take me!" Maisie stroked my daughter's hair, whispering like a lullaby, "Don't worry, little one. You won't feel a thing soon. But I'll make sure she does. Mommy will spend the rest of her life blaming herself for not protecting you. And Rufus? Oh, he'll spit on her name." My daughter's hand stretched out, reaching for me. "Mommy... please don't leave me." I lunged forward, screaming, "I'm not leaving! I'm right here!" But the bed slid away, further and Chanter 15 213 58.7% 11:40 am further, as Maisie's laughter filled the room. "Watch closely," Maisie mocked, pressing the plunger down. "This is the moment your daughter dies. This is the moment you lose everything. And you'll never forget my face while it happens." My daughter screamed one last time, "Mommy!" before her body stilled, her eyes rolling back, and the line went flat. I dropped to my knees, clawing at the floor, choking on my own sobs. "No! Please, God, bring her back! Please!" Maisie leaned down, her breath cold in my ear. "You should thank me. I gave you a reason to hate. Now let's see if you're strong enough to use it." Her laughter echoed until it was all I could hear. And then-darkness. I woke up choking on my own breath. My body felt like I'd been dragged through fire. My sheets were soaked, my chest rising and falling like I'd run miles. My hands wouldn't stop shaking. Miranda's voice came soft, worried, "Annette... it's alright, you're awake now." She was holding a cool cloth to my forehead, like I was a child again. Peter was pacing at the edge of the bed, all jumpy and panicked. "You scared the hell out of me! You just collapsed. Do you know how pale you looked? I thought-" He broke off, throwing his hands in the air. "God, don't do that again. My conscience can't handle it." And then there was him. Vincenzo. Sitting in the corner like a shadow carved into the room. Smoke curled around his face, eyes sharp as glass. He didn't say anything. He didn't need to. He was watching me, like I was some specimen being weighed. I pressed my trembling hands to my face. "I saw her... my baby. She was calling me. And Maisie... she... she killed her. I saw it, I swear I did. It felt real. It was real." My voice cracked, the words spilling out, too fast, too desperate. Miranda hushed me, stroking my hair. "It was a dream, Annette. Just a nightmare." But Vincenzo's voice cut through like a blade, cold and steady. "Dreams don't lie. They tell truths you don't want to face when you're awake." I froze. My stomach twisted. "So you're saying it happened? That Maisie really-" "I'm saying your blood already knows what your mind refuses to accept. Whether you admit it or not, you've seen the truth." Something inside me snapped. The grief that was crushing me twisted into something sharper. I sat up, ignoring the ache in my chest. "Then train me. Arm me. Before I ever face my father... before I face anyone... I want to be ready." Peter blinked, shocked. "Wait, what? You? Holding a gun? Sweetheart, you cry when you get paper cuts." I glared at him, tears streaming down my face but my voice steady. "I refuse to be weak anymore. Not after what they did to me. Not after my daughter." My throat burned. "I wanted freedom, but now? I'll come back as their worst nightmare. Not for money. Not for power. But to end them." Chanta-15 213 58.7% 11:40 am A Vincenzo leaned forward, flicking ash into a tray. "Big words. But grief makes fools brave. Are you strong, Annette, or just reckless?" I met his eyes, even if mine were blurred with tears. "I'm both. And I don't care. Either way, I won't bow anymore." He didn't flinch. He pulled a gun from his coat and tossed it onto my lap. The weight of it made me jolt. "Then prove it. Aim." My fingers shook as I picked it up. It was heavier than I expected, colder too, like holding death itself. I raised it, arms trembling. "Fire," Vincenzo ordered. I hesitated, my breath caught in my throat. "Do it," his voice sharpened, merciless. I pulled the trigger. 11:41 am Title: After Breakup, Spoiled by Three Big Shot Brothers (English-dubbed) On the brink of her wedding, she faces heartbreak as her fiancé calls it off. However, fate takes a surprising turn at the engagement celebration when three influential brothers unveil her true identity as their long-lost sibling. Uncovering her hidden wealth, she navigates a whirlwind of emotions amidst the complexities of family ties and newfound affluence. Immerse yourself in this captivating tale of love, family bonds, and self-discovery in a backdrop of modern romance and office drama. With its blend of billionaire allure and sweet relationships, this ongoing story sets itself apart with its engaging narrative and dynamic character interactions. Discover the intriguing twists and turns that await in this unique saga, available to read at CrushReel for those craving an unforgettable literary journey.