Chapter 2
Elena dropped her suitcase with a heavy thud, the hard plastic wheels clicking against the polished hardwood of the entryway. She crossed the room in two swift strides, kneeling beside her mother to inspect the dark, ugly bruises on Margaret's arms.
"Mom, look at me... how long have these animals been treating you like a domestic servant in your own home?" Elena whispered. Margaret swallowed hard, tears spilling over her wrinkled eyelids as she grasped Elena's uniformed sleeve for comfort.
"They told me you were discharged in dishonor, Elena... they said you abandoned me forever," Margaret sobbed softly. Elena's chest tightened with a fierce, protective fury that burned hotter than any fire she had faced in the service.
"They lied to isolate you, and they took advantage of your kindness while I was deployed overseas," Elena answered with quiet venom. Miranda crossed her arms tightly, attempting to regain her haughty composure despite the mounting dread in her chest.
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"This house was abandoned when we moved in, and your mother signed over occupancy rights voluntarily," Miranda lied smoothly. Elena stood up slowly, towering over Miranda with a lethal, unblinking stare that made the socialite step back again.
"Voluntary occupancy doesn't include physical assault, elder abuse, and systematic forgery of trust documents," Elena countered sharply.
