Chapter 103 Smoke For The Cameras
Kira’s POV
Just as Miranda opened her mouth…probably to scream for security again or defend herself, a deep, commanding voice boomed from the corner of the lobby.
“What’s going on here?”
I whipped around, and my heart slammed into my ribs so hard I almost staggered.
There they were.
Frederick and Evelyn. My so-called “parents” from my old life. The manipulators. The murderers. The ones who smiled to my face while plotting to shove me off a building and poison my real mom just to steal everything that was hers. They stood there in their perfect black mourning outfits, looking every bit the grieving, respectable power couple.
Inside, I was grinning like a maniac. Oh, this just got so much better. The more the merrier.
My mind flashed back without warning. Back to when I used to call him ‘dad.’ Back to when we ate from the same table…even further back to when he used to play hide and seek with mom around the house.
He’d played her from the start. Seduced her, married into the family, then wiped us out so he could slap his name on everything and play happy family with his real family.
My fists clenched so tight my nails dug into my palms. Blood pulsed in my ears. Calm down, Kira. Don’t explode. Don’t give them that satisfaction of labeling you as a crazy person.
Miranda spotted them at the same exact moment. “Mom! Dad!” she shrieked, like a little kid running from a bully. She bolted across the lobby, heels clacking, and threw herself into Evelyn’s arms.
Evelyn hugged her tight, stroking her hair, murmuring, “It’s okay, baby, Mommy’s here.”
A bitter, burning bile rose in my throat. Anger and sadness twisted together so hard I almost gagged.
Look at them. The perfect little family. Hugging it out while mine was six feet under. They destroyed everything…my mom, me, our name…and now they think they can just waltz off to my funeral and live happily ever after? No. Hell no.
Frederick turned to the crowd first, raising both hands like he was calming a herd of spooked horses.
“Everyone, there’s nothing to see here. We sincerely apologize for whatever disturbance this is. Please, go about your day.” His voice was smooth, authoritative..the kind that made people listen. And just like that, some of the onlookers started drifting away, muttering, putting phones down.
Then he turned, and our eyes met… Just for a second.
Once upon a time, I thought that man was my father. I looked up to him. I did everything…good grades, perfect manners, every damn thing…to make him proud. And his reward? A shove off a building.
He started walking toward us, Evelyn and a sniffling Miranda right behind him. Victoria had already come closer now, stepping in front of Antonio like a human shield, keeping him tucked safely behind her.
Funny thing…he just stood there quietly, hand still on his neck, like a well-trained pet who knew better than to move.
“Young lady,” Frederick said when they reached us, voice calm and polite.
“Yes?” I answered, staring him dead in the eye. Something I never dared in my old body.
“My family and I apologize for any problems we’ve caused you,” he said, dipping his head slightly in this fake-humble bow. “We do hope to settle this amicably.”
It threw me off for a split second. Why was he being so… nice and respectful? Then I spotted it…a guy in the back still recording on his phone.
Of course. Reputation. The Summers name in the headlines for the wrong reasons? Disaster. He was playing the gracious, reasonable adult to win public sympathy.
Well. I know how to play too.
Miranda piped up immediately, tears streaming. “Dad, she accused me of being a slut! All I did was be with Antonio! She’s crazy!”
“Keep it down, Miranda. I’ve told you to stay away from that young man, but you never listen!” he scolded her rather harshly.
I didn’t miss a beat. I turned to the remaining crowd, voice loud and dramatic, making sure phones came back up. “Wait a minute, aren’t you people supposed to be mourning today? Your daughter died! And instead of acting like a decent family, you’re letting your other daughter act shamelessly in public…kissing someone’s husband in a corner like it’s no big deal? What kind of parents encourage that?”
Gasps and murmurs returned like they never left. More phones raised as my voice drew new sets of people to the scene.
Evelyn jumped in right on cue, tears magically appearing in her eyes. She dabbed at them with a tissue. “The death of our daughter has caused us unimaginable grief,” she said, voice trembling.
“We’ve been so consumed with funeral arrangements that we… We didn't notice what Miranda was doing. We’re deeply sorry. Please, accept our apology on her behalf.”
Damn it. This wasn’t going how I wanted. They were turning it around, looking like a poor grieving family and I’ve become the villain. My blood boiled hotter as I saw their pretentious faces.
I stepped forward, chin high. “My friend and I aren’t satisfied until you get on your knees and apologize properly. This is not a simple matter. She was kissing someone’s husband in public!”
I said it loud…loud enough for everyone to hear. I wanted their masks to slip. I want them to break character so the world would see how cruel and disgusting they really are.
I never thought they’d actually do it.
Frederick’s jaw tightened, but he dropped to his knees right there on the marble floor. Evelyn followed. Miranda squeaked, “Dad, no—” but they dragged her down too. Frederick bowed his head toward Victoria. “We’re truly sorry,” he said, voice thick.
Why did they comply without putting up a fight? Change of plans, Kira.
I crouched down, offering Evelyn my hand like I was the bigger person. “It’s okay,” I said sweetly, loud enough for the cameras. “We don’t hold grudges. I’m sure my friend will let it slide this time.”
Lies. I hold grudges like trophies.
She took my hand, and I pulled her up…but the second she was standing, I gripped tighter. Hard…my finger nails digging into her skin. Her face twisted in pain. To everyone else, it looked like I was pulling her into a forgiving hug.
“Evie,” I whispered into her ear, voice sugary. “Nice to see you’re still wearing Judy Summers’ custom diamond set. The one she designed herself.”
Her whole body went stiff. She jerked back, eyes wide with shock and confusion. “What did you say? Who are you? How do you know Judy?”
I giggled, right in her face. “Evie, oh Evie,” I taunted…using the nickname only my mom ever used for her assistant turned backstabber.
Panic flashed across her face and she pushed me away from her…gently, almost reflexive.
But I’d been waiting for it.
I let myself fall hard, hitting the floor with a dramatic thud and a loud groan. Phones flashed like crazy now as whispers exploded.
Victoria dropped beside me instantly, reaching out, but I subtly waved her off. I stayed down, letting fake tears well up. “Mrs. Summers, why would you push me?” I cried, voice breaking perfectly. “We already forgave your daughter for trying to seduce my friend’s husband. You didn’t have to do this!”
The crowd lost it.
“Is this how the Summers family is?”
“Pushing a young girl? After everything?”
“They think money and fame make them untouchable?”
“Uncultured people!”
Frederick’s face went red immediately. He nudged Evelyn frantically, muttering apologies to everyone. “Please, we apologize. Our family is mourning deeply. We’re running late for our daughter’s funeral…”
Evelyn forced a smile and came closer again, reaching down to help me up like the caring mom she pretended to be. As she pulled, I leaned in close again.
“A little advice, Evie. Next time you try to kill someone,” I whispered, smiling wide, “don’t push. Just shoot.”
She jerked back like I’d slapped her, eyes bulging in pure horror.
But before she could say a word…before she could react to my words… I felt it.