Golden Cage Mommy Mutiny (Elyse) novel Chapter 39

So that excuse about “bringing me home” hadn’t been about making up for twenty years of missing

love.

It had been a setup.

Something in me went numb, then hard. I dropped to my knees and bowed to Martha. “Please, tell me how to break it.”

She patted my head. “Go back tomorrow. I’ll give you a charm. It’ll lead you to the devil idol they’re using. Then smash it. Once it’s destroyed, the bond breaks.”

“The person who set this up will suffer backlash. Within a day, they’ll die violently. Don’t waste your sympathy. People like that earn their endings.

I nodded.

After seeing Martha off, I went back to my room alone. I sat on my bed with my knees pulled to my chest, eyes cold and empty.

Just wait. I would make every single one of them pay.

The next morning, following Martha’s words, I said goodbye to Grandma and went back to the city. On my wrist was the charm Martha gave me, a snake bracelet so realistic it looked like a real one

had wrapped itself around my skin.

When I got home, the “perfect family” of three looked up from the dinner table at the same time.

My father snarled at me, “You ungrateful brat, where have you been for days? Why didn’t you answer your phone? Do you have any idea your sister’s competition is coming up?

My mother shot my father a look, warning him not to go too hard, in case I’d run again. Selina sat there like she was watching a show, excitement glittering in her eyes.

My mother stood and walked over, putting on her warm, loving act. “Michele, where have you been these days? Why didn’t you call? Your father and I were worried sick.”

I looked at her, amused, watching her play “good mom” like she deserved an award. “Why would I tell you?”

Her smile froze. Furious, my father slammed a hand on the table and jumped up, pointing at me like I was something filthy and roaring, “That’s how you talk to your mother? Damn, you’re getting more audacious by the minute! Hanging around outside all day, what the hell are you up to?!]

“Look at the mess you made! How could you steal your sister’s works? You’re disgracing the name of Hunt!”

Selina immediately jumped up, all fake concern. “Dad, Mom, it’s my fault. If I’d defended Michele

Chapter 6

34.82%

better at the company, she wouldn’t be getting attacked like this…”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her performance. Slowly, I raised a hand and clapped, lazy and deliberate. “Wow, wow, wow. If you three don’t win Oscars for this performance, it’s a crime. Perhaps I should present you with a lifetime achievement award.”

Then I glanced over the three people who were glaring at me, smiling like they were beneath me. “Don’t join me in your stupid dinner–table play. I’m not good at that. You guys enjoy the rest of your

show.”

I waved lightly and headed upstairs. In my room, I held up the bracelet and slowly scanned the space, only to find nothing unusual.

“Is it not in my room?” I slipped out quietly and started toward the other rooms.