The Stand-In Who Burned the Script novel Chapter 19

"Are you out of your mind?" Vivian stared at her with icy, lifeless eyes. "The simple fact that your mother was a homewrecker and you're an illegitimate bastard is more than enough for me to permanently blacklist you. Got it?"

Amara's eyes blazed red. "But I'm innocent!"

"Where exactly is your innocence?"

Vivian scoffed violently. "Were you unaware of what your mother was doing? Or were you completely oblivious when she begged Dominic to stay the night?"

She knew absolutely everything!

When they were kids, Vivian's mother was violently ill on her deathbed.

Vivian had run around sobbing, desperately searching for her father, only to find him living in his secret, second home.

She had fallen to her knees and begged him to come back, to save her mother... because her mother truly couldn't hold on much longer.

Dominic had been hesitant, torn between the two. But it was Amara who faked a heart attack right then and there, just to trap Dominic and prevent him from going home!

"That's only because your mother selfishly dragged it out and refused to sign the divorce papers!" Amara snapped, showing zero remorse. "Dad loved my mother. What was the point of your mom hoarding the title of Mrs. Fairchild? If she had just divorced him sooner, she would have been free. Maybe if she had let go, she wouldn't have died such a pathetic, miserable death—"

Before Amara could even finish her sentence, a brutal, bone-rattling slap slashed across her face.

Vivian's eyes were terrifyingly frostbitten as she stared her down.

"Amara, if I ever hear my mother's name come out of your filthy mouth again, I will personally show you whether the rumors about me being a ruthless bitch are true or not."

Amara clutched her burning cheek, slowly lifting her head.

"So what you're saying is, there is zero chance of us ever making peace?"

"..." Did that slap literally knock a screw loose in her brain?

Vivian had no intention of entertaining her delusions and turned to leave.

Amara stood frozen in place, her hollow gaze fixed on some unknown point in the darkness. Her voice dripped with an eerie, venomous chill. "If you truly believe we can't coexist, and that this family only has room for one daughter... then I don't mind losing a sister."

Vivian stopped and glanced back.

The night was thick and suffocating.

A distant streetlight cut through the gloom, washing over the woman's terrifyingly pale face.

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