Melanie was still screeching and raging.

“Do you think I’m just going to let you leave like that, you ungrateful little bitch?”

Serenity remained quietly in her seat, appearing to listen but not really hearing anything.

“Answer me!” Melanie’s fist slammed down, and the plates on the table rattled at the impact.

Serenity opened her mouth to answer, but before she could do so, the door to the dining room opened and her half-sister came sailing in.

“Jesus,” Shane drawled, “that’s quite a racket you’re making, mother dear. What’s wrong?” She bent down to kiss her mother’s cheek before claiming the seat across Serenity. She allowed herself a quick survey of the younger woman’s features and was satisfied at the sight of Serenity’s red and swollen eyes.

Boo-hoo-hoo, Shane thought without an ounce of pity.

Melanie threw a fuming look at her stepdaughter. “Maybe you can talk to this ungrateful little bitch instead,” she gritted out to Shane. “The fool wants to leave my house to study in Greece!”

Shane’s eyebrows arched up in surprise. “Greece?” She disliked the idea immensely, only because it would mean not being able to torture her sister every day and seeing the impact of her words on Serenity’s face. “I agree with my mother. It’s not a good idea for someone like you to—”

Serenity quietly interrupted, “But I am going.”

Shane’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?” She waited for Serenity to back down, like she always did, but instead her younger sister only met her gaze, pale-faced and unspeaking. Serenity had never gone against either her or Melanie, and for one crazy moment, she wondered if Serenity had found out the truth.

No, impossible, Shane thought even as her heart raced in apprehension. That night Willem had come knocking on her door, he had been unequivocal and adamant in his request: Serenity was to believe he and Shane continued to see each other, and for Shane to say whatever was necessary to keep Serenity away from him.

“Before I agree, I want you to answer me first.” Shane turned to face him. She was dressed in a near-transparent nightgown and was completely naked under the loose, flowing lace. She watched his expression obsessively, but to her fury and humiliation, the Dutch billionaire only looked at her as if he was seeing another man.

“I know what you want to ask, and my answer is that it doesn’t matter.” The billionaire’s voice was clipped, his face hard. “I can see on your face you know I’ve spent the night with her. It was the first time – and it will be the last, with your cooperation.”

“Was it because she was a virgin and I’m not?” Shane couldn’t stop herself from demanding harshly. “Is that your new fetish? Deflowering—” The icy anger that blazed on Willem de Konigh’s blue eyes cut her off, and she had to swallow the rest of what she wanted to say. 

“Never,” the billionaire said very softly, “say something like that in my presence again.”

“I’m sorry.” At the face of Willem de Konigh’s anger, Shane was quick to apologize. “But you can’t blame me, Willem. I know you don’t love me, but my sister? Why her, of all people?” She, too, knew Willem long enough to read him. She knew, just by looking at him, that the game was up as far as her innocent charade was concerned. But she also knew she still had a shot to remain in his good graces, if she played her cards right.

Bingo, Shane thought coldly as the billionaire flushed under his tan at her words.

“It will not happen again.” The billionaire breathed hard. “I will be very much grateful if you could cooperate with me on this, and you will be rewarded amply for your help.”

She lowered her gaze so the billionaire wouldn’t see her eyes glittering at his mention of a reward. Even so, she pretended to refuse, saying in a trembling voice, “I don’t need any reward to do what you want. You betrayed me – you and Serenity betrayed me.” She allowed a little of her bitterness to creep in, knowing it would make her words believable. “Keeping her away from you would be my pleasure.”

The billionaire sucked his breath in audibly. “I am sorry for this, Shane. Just know I am completely to blame for this. And please allow me to atone for my mistake in a way that would be of significant help to you.” 

Even with her head bowed, she saw the billionaire’s fists clench, and she held her breath, knowing that whatever Willem had to say next, it would be very important and possibly determine her next move.

“I just have one request.”

Shane whispered, “What is it?”

“Do not be cruel to Serenity. Say only what you need, but do not be cruel about it. She will already be hurt when I leave. I do not want her to suffer even more.”

Shane’s blood went cold.

Fool, she thought, and this time her bitterness knew no bounds. The billionaire was a fool. He could have had Shane as a bride, and yet he had gone on to fall for her little sister. 

Her eyes sparkling with fake tears, she choked out to Willem, “Of course.” But in her heart, she was vowing to do the opposite. 

The memories aroused all of Shane’s bitterness and pain, causing Serenity to shrink in her seat when their eyes met again.

“You will stay here,” Shane hissed, “and that’s final.”

Serenity shook her head even though the hatred blazing from her half-sister’s eyes made her quake in her seat. “I’m s-sorry, but I’ve made up my mind.”

Shane half rose from her seat, and before anyone could guess what was happening, Shane’s hand had connected with Serenity’s cheek in a resounding slap.

“Shane,” Melanie gasped in shock, completely taken aback by the animosity on her daughter’s face.

Serenity’s eyes were wide with shock, one hand coming up to touch her stinging cheek. 

“How dare you be ungrateful when my mother and I were selfless and kind enough to take you in even when you were just my father’s bastard?” Pushing her chair back, Shane stalked around the table and grabbed a fistful of Serenity’s hair.

“Oh my God, Shane!” Melanie jumped to her feet, aghast at the display of violence but helpless against it. She didn’t know Shane this way and was terrified by it. What was happening?

Serenity started struggling the moment Shane dragged her off her chair, but the woman seemed to possess incredible strength, and she couldn’t pull away from Shane.

“We should have just had locked you up,” Shane shouted at her face while her fingers tightened its grip, causing Serenity’s eyes to sting. “At least you wouldn’t have caused us any trouble, and you wouldn’t have been able to flirt with Willem—”

Serenity whitened.

Melanie stilled.

Shane started to laugh. “Did you think I didn’t know?” In the back of her mind, she could hear the billionaire’s voice, warning her against saying anything remotely cruel to her half-sister, but she ignored this.

She shoved Serenity away from her and was satisfied to see Serenity lose her balance, her back hitting the wall with a loud thud before crumpling to the floor.

“Willem came to my room right after he took your virginity,” she sneered. “He told me that you had made him believe you would be practical, but one look at your face after sex made him realize you were going to be clingy and pathetic. So he told me to do what I can and keep you away.”

Serenity felt faint as she listened to Shane speak, and when her sister was finished, she whispered, “You’re lying.”

Shane’s eyes glittered. “Am I?” she taunted. “If I’m lying, then tell me, how do I know that Willem likes to call you his engel?”

Serenity’s heart slowly stopped beating.