Her dress was still stained , her hair damp and sticky with soup . She looked a mess - yet wore the smug air of a winner . Claudia could picture it : Lydia cooing sweet nonsense before she slipped out , making everyone at home believe she was the one suffering , yet still so generous , still trying to patch things up with Claudia . What a warm , harmonious tableau it must've been - dutiful daughter , loving parents , loyal brothers . The sisters faced off beside the car . " Claudia , I told you . Everything you have , I'm taking . One by one . You owe me . " Claudia studied the adoptive sister who'd fought her for everything since they were kids and asked , genuinely curious , " Is picking up my leftovers really that satisfying ? Do you hoard everything I've touched like it's gold ? Lydia , are you twisted - or just pathetic ? " " Hmph , keep mouthing off . " Lydia's face went hard , then curved into a smirk . " You wanted Grandma's house so badly . Funny , you didn't throw this kind of fit when the family shares went to me . But what can you do ? After my accident , Mom already promised me the house . The transfer's in three days . A fortune - teller said my fate's weak , full of hardship , and I need a heavy heirloom to ground me . A house was best . So my parents handed it over without blinking . Isn't it hilarious ? The place you cherished for years just dropped into my hands ." Claudia's fists tightened . She saw again her parents ' evasive looks when she'd mentioned the house , and Wilson's slip : " Give it to Lydia . " It wasn't an empty threat . They'd decided long ago . Whether she agreed to the engagement or not , the house was never going to be hers . Wilson's ultimatum had been stalling , nothing more . And she'd actually come tonight with the tiny hope that they'd honor Grandma's last wish . Laughable . Truly laughable . Numb as she felt , her chest still throbbed . They knew what that house meant to her . Maybe in Wilson and Lottie's eyes , it didn't matter if the deed said Lydia or Claudia . But to Lydia kept prattling , bitterness twisting her mouth . " We were both her granddaughters . Why did she always favor you? If she wouldn't give it to me , I'll take it . Claudia , this is all your fault . " She leaned in , voice a purr of triumph against Claudia's ear . " You say I don't deserve it ? Too bad the world doesn't bend to you . People - you can't keep them . Houses - you can't keep those either . " A thunderclap went off in Claudia's head , yanking her back to that summer when she was seventeen . Peach and apricot trees in bloom , cicadas shrilling . She'd skipped home with a basket of herbs , eager to share them with Grandma - only to find pills scattered on the floor , her grandmother limp and gone , and Lydia looking at her with a cruel , crooked smile . That was when childhood ended . That was when the world stopped . " Aah- " Lydia's gloating cut off in a gasp . Claudia's hand locked around her slender throat and slammed her against the car , choking off her breath . " Isn't this what you came for ? Poke the bear , run home and play the victim ? " Claudia's voice was cool , almost detached . " I can't talk circles like you . But when people come begging for a beating , I never hesitate . Murder ? That's what I'm best at . You , of all people , know that , Lydia ." Her face was composed ; her eyes glittered with something close to madness . Her grip tightened . Terror blew Lydia's eyes wide . She'd miscalculated . She should never have come alone to provoke her . She knew how sacred Grandma was to Claudia , and she'd still pushed . She remembered that summer too . Claudia could kill . 7 Panic surged ; she couldn't force a word out - only slapped frantically at Claudia's arm . The gated community was dead quiet . No one around . Just when Lydia was sure this lunatic was going to finish her , Claudia abruptly let go and asked something that made no sense . " You staged that little crash for me and all I got was a scratch . 2/4 To Claudia is a Lunatic +8 Pearls You and Julie have that dance competition coming up , don't you ? Big deal for you , right ? " " What are you planning ? " Dread curled in Lydia's gut . A sickening crack - her head hit the car window . Glass spiderwebbed . Blood slid down her pale cheek as the world spun . Psycho . Claudia really was a psycho . " The cameras don't cover this spot , do they ? Otherwise you wouldn't dare show me that ugly face ." Claudia's fingers brushed the red marks on Lydia's throat . " Sneak out to ' talk sense ' into me , alone - you'll go back bruised and bawling for them , won't you ? You've worked so hard at the act . How could I not give you a hand ? " For the first time , Lydia's fear was pure . " Claudia , aren't you afraid our parents will cut you off for good ? " " Does it matter anymore ? " A scream tore the night . Her shin snapped . " It hurts ! Oh God , it hurts ! Claudia , I'll never forgive you ! " By the time the Lancasters arrived , all they saw was Lydia collapsed in a pool of blood , calf twisted at a sick angle , head bleeding , out cold . Claudia's car roared off without a glance back . Lottie nearly fainted at the sight . Wilson , with Clarence and Zane , scrambled to get Lydia to the hospital . Lawless . Out of control . Claudia's car sliced through the night . She'd taken out Lydia's leg , but the ice in her chest didn't budge . It had been next to impossible to pry the deed out of Lottie's hands . Once it was signed over to Lydia , who knew what filthy games she'd play . Claudia could let go of the house . She just couldn't let it land in Lydia's lap . But to negotiate , you need leverage . Since she walked out at eighteen , Claudia hadn't taken a cent from the Lancasters . She'd carried 3/4 When it came to feelings - to parents and brothers - she couldn't compete with Lydia's doe eyes and little acts . Without noticing , she'd been pushed right to the edge . But marry Jasper ? Chain herself to these rotten people for life ? She couldn't stomach it . Her grandmother's love was supposed to be a blessing , not a shackle . When she blinked back to herself , she'd been driving four hours and was pulling up to her grandmother's courtyard in Altrix City . The house sat at the foot of the mountain , small but solid , built on her grandfather's old foundation . He rebuilt it because Grandma loved the view at Willowmere . They'd retired here , lived out their days together . For them , it was a place of love . For Claudia - who'd spent years here with her grandmother - it was home . It was past three a.m. The courtyard was hushed and alone , no other lights in sight . Claudia stood at the gate , emotion surging in her eyes . Send Gifts 10 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!