Chapter 2
Janice didn’t need to ask—she had a pretty good idea of what was going on. She lowered her gaze, hiding the icy chill flickering in her eyes.
After all these years, the Ludwig family still wouldn’t leave her or her mother in peace.
“I get it,” she said, her tone flat. “I’ll head back right away.”
She hung up and wasted no time driving back to Oakridge, the town she thought she’d left behind forever.
…
Standing in front of the Ludwig residence, Janice’s expression was cold and unreadable. Before that phone call, she had never imagined herself setting foot near this place again.
Her so-called father, Garrett Ludwig, had cheated on her mother while she was still pregnant. After Janice was born, he had gone so far as to bring his mistress and their illegitimate daughter into their home. That daughter, Reina Ludwig, was only a year younger than Janice.
Serena, devastated by the betrayal, had fallen gravely ill, both from the emotional toll and complications from childbirth. And Garrett? He’d kicked Serena out of the house, leaving her to fend for herself in her weakest moments.
When Janice had returned to confront him, desperate to fight for Serena’s dignity, Reina had drugged her and tried to frame her by bringing in a group of thugs to take compromising photos.
Fortunately, Janice’s background in alternative medicine had made her body resistant to most drugs. She had woken up just in time to stop their twisted plan from succeeding.
Even so, the Ludwigs spread rumors, claiming she had run off with some gang member, dragging their own name through the mud in the process.
Janice clenched her fists, the memory flooding her with rage.
On her deathbed, Serena had begged her to leave the toxic family behind, to live her life far away and never look back. For years, Janice had honored that wish.
But now, she had no choice but to return.
Taking a deep breath, she pounded on the heavy front door.
Janice didn’t bother ringing the doorbell, as pressing it felt too polite. She wanted to make noise—lots of it.
After a few loud knocks, the door swung open, and a woman appeared.
“What’s with the racket?” she shouted.
It was none other than Lizzy Summers, the mistress who had clawed her way into the Ludwig family.
Lizzy had once been a well-known party girl, hanging around nightclubs until she managed to sink her claws into Garrett. She had used every trick in the book to secure her spot in the family, bringing Reina along and parading her success like a badge of honor.
When she saw Janice standing at the door, her face shifted from irritation to alarm. She instinctively moved to block the doorway.
“You! What are you doing here?” Lizzy stammered.
Janice smirked coldly. “You tell me.”
She shoved Lizzy aside without waiting for an answer, striding into the house with confidence. When she stepped into the living room, she felt the tension in the air.
With his back to her, seated on the couch, was a man whose broad shoulders and poised demeanor struck her as oddly familiar.
Beside him sat Reina, her half-sister. Reina looked like she’d stepped straight out of a designer catalog, dressed in the latest couture and wearing flawless makeup. She was going for an innocent look, though Janice could see right through it.
Garrett was seated nearby, his expression unusually subdued. When he noticed Janice, his face turned stormy in an instant.
Janice scanned the room and quickly put the pieces together. She raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a sardonic smile. “Well, well. It seems you have company. It looks like I picked the wrong time to drop by.”
Her eyes landed on the man in the center of the room. Judging by everyone’s behavior, he was clearly the guest. But when he turned to face her, Janice’s smug smirk froze on her face.
It was Malcolm.
Her mind went blank.
Why the hell was Malcolm here?
The man she had spent the previous night tangled up with was now sitting in her family’s living room, looking as distant and composed as ever.
Janice opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
“Malcolm!” It was Reina who broke the silence, jumping up and clinging to Malcolm’s arm like a lifeline.
Her voice dripped with sweetness as she smiled nervously at him. “Please don’t mind her. That’s my sister. She’s a bit… rough around the edges. She rarely comes home, so we weren’t expecting her to show up today…”
Lizzy quickly jumped in, eager to smooth things over. “Malcolm, don’t let her bother you. Why don’t you and Reina head upstairs? There’s still so much to plan for tomorrow’s engagement party. We’ll handle things down here.”
Engagement party?
Janice’s eyes darkened as realization dawned on her.
How ironic. Just last night, Malcolm had been in her bed. Now, he was here as Reina’s fiancé.
Her gaze flicked to Malcolm. His face was unreadable, and he made no move to pull his arm away from Reina’s hold.
Reina must have felt Janice’s stare because she shifted uncomfortably.
Janice raised an eyebrow and smirked. “So, Reina, you’re getting engaged? Why didn’t you say anything? I could’ve prepared a gift for you and my brother-in-law.”
She deliberately emphasized the last words, her eyes briefly locking with Malcolm’s.
He didn’t even flinch.
The man who had been so possessive and demanding last night now acted like she didn’t exist.
Reina relaxed slightly when Malcolm remained unresponsive, then gave Janice a pitying smile. “No need for that, Janice. We’re family, after all. Plus, I know things haven’t been easy for you lately, so let’s not worry about formalities.”
She paused, glancing at Malcolm for effect. “Honestly, I’ve been worried about you. And that boyfriend of yours? I told you he was trouble, but you wouldn’t listen. You deserve better.”
She sighed dramatically, then added, “Malcolm, I’m sorry you had to hear all this. My sister… Well, she’s had a tough time.
“Back in high school, she used to hang out with some bad people, which caused many issues for our family. She even had a huge fight with Dad and nearly gave him a heart attack. After that, she ran off and only returned to ask for money.”
Janice’s laugh was sharp, tinged with fury. Reina had always been a master manipulator, twisting every situation to make herself look innocent.
But Janice saw through her. Reina was trying to tarnish her reputation in front of Malcolm, which meant she cared about his opinion. That gave Janice an idea—Malcolm could be her weapon to cut Reina down.
“Enough!” Garrett’s voice boomed as he slammed his hand on the table, glaring at Janice.
“You ungrateful brat!” he shouted. “I told you years ago, the moment you walked out of this house, you were no longer my daughter! Here’s 50 grand. Take it, and never show your face here again!”
He threw a slim bank card at her. The sharp edge nicked her cheek, leaving a sting.
Janice didn’t flinch. She let the card drop to the floor and crushed it under her heel.
