The Heiress Revived from the Ashes (Lauren Bennett) novel Chapter 266

Chapter 266 Josh Witnesses the Real Mia

Mia froze in place, her hand slowly lowering the blade. “Josh?”

“Yeah.” He nodded, his eyes shadowed with something unreadable.

Mia stayed quiet for a beat. When she finally spoke, her voice was rough. “You saw all of it?”

“Yeah.” Josh didn’t flinch. He just stood there, staring at her with that deep, unreadable look.

Silence settled over them like a weight.

Finished

The wind slipped through the alley, cool against Mia’s face. The sharp, metallic smell of blood lingered thick in the air.

Finally, Josh broke the silence. “Mia… what you did–it’s a crime.”

She raised her chin. “So what? You gonna call the cops on me?”

Josh looked at her, then sighed. “No.”

“Then move,” she said, shoving him. But he caught her wrist.

His grip was like iron. She couldn’t break loose.

“Come with me,” he said. Firm. No room for argument.

Mia pulled back. “Why the heck should I?”

Josh stared at her. “Are you planning to walk back to campus looking like a murder scene?”

She froze again. Looked down.

Her clothes were soaked in blood. Under the harsh glow of the streetlamp, the red looked almost fluorescent.

She didn’t fight him after that. She let him take her to the car.

The car cut through the night, city lights flickering across the glass. Neon streaks danced over Mia’s blank, frozen face.

Josh brought her back to his apartment.

He unlocked the door, stepped aside, and gestured for her to go in. She did without a word. He followed and shut the door quietly behind them.

“You should clean up,” he said evenly.

Mia didn’t say anything. She headed straight for the bathroom.

Moments later, the sound of running water filled the silence.

1/3

Chapter 266 Josh Witnesses the Real Mia

It was hard to tell how long he sat like that before the water finally stopped.

Mia emerged from the bathroom in a white robe.

Finished

Her hair was still damp, strands clinging to her cheeks. Droplets slid from the ends of her hair, catching the light. Her skin looked pale and flawless under the glow–fresh from the water, cool and untouchable

Josh looked over and paused.

His gaze darkened slightly. He didn’t look away right away.

Mia didn’t hesitate. She walked straight up to Josh, snatched the wine glass out of his hand, and downed it in one gulp.

Then she grabbed the bottle and tilted it back, drinking every last drop like water.

By the time it was empty, her cheeks were flushed pink and her eyes had that unfocused, dazed look

She set the bottle down and stared at Josh, her voice raspy. “Got any more?”

“No,” he said.

She squinted at him. “You’re lying.”

Josh stayed silent.

Mia turned and stormed into the kitchen. She opened the cabinet, pulled out a bottle of whiskey, twisted the cap, and raised it to her lips.

Josh was in front of her in seconds. “What are you doing?”

“I can’t take this. Just let me drink.”

He looked at her, something pained in his expression. “Drinking isn’t gonna help. It’ll mess you up worse.”

She shot him a bitter look. “Too late for that. I already am messed up.”

Her voice cracked, her eyes watering.

“Do you even know who I just destroyed? She’s the one who deafened Laurie. The one who shattered her leg. Laurie’s whole life is wrecked–and that woman gets to walk free? Gets a second chance?”

Her voice rose, her control slipping.

“And

guess what–she got 140,000 dollars from Kenneth’s parents. She said she wants to live her best life. Can you believe that? Isn’t it sick? She hurt Laurie. My kind and sweet Laurie. So I made sure she got it all back. I didn’t stop at making her deaf or crippled–I made her blind, mute, and left her with broken hands and feet. Even if they patch her up, she won’t be able to speak, see, hear, or walk again. She’s done. Finished. Hahaha!”

Mia burst into loud, wild laughter. But even as she laughed, tears streamed down her face.

She tinned the bottle and took another hard drink

09:13 Sat, 5 Apr

Chapter 266 Josh Witnesses the Real Mia

Josh caught her just in time, both hands steadying her body before she could collapse.