But in the next heartbeat, the doors flew open. Mom and I were dragged out.
Gone was his gentle facade—he looked at us with naked killing intent.
"Gianna, I told you Bella was no threat to your position, but you targeted her again and again. Because of you, she can't bear children anymore, and her face is ruined beyond recognition. Do you have any idea how deeply that destroyed her?"
"I've been coming home every day, treating you and Justin well, just so you'd let your guard down—so you'd agree to ride in this car today without your bodyguards."
With that, he gave the order. His men seized me and hurled me into the raging river below.
The moment I hit the water, Mom clutched me tight, her scalding tears falling onto my face.
Above the roar of the current, I still heard Dad's voice.
"Justin, don't blame me for being cruel. Your mother refuses to behave and is leading you astray. This is just a little lesson for both of you."
As the icy water swallowed me whole, I suddenly understood the words my mother once whispered, sitting alone in her room with red-rimmed eyes, staring at the wedding photo of her and my father in their youth.
"Times change, and people change with them."