She Needed My Blood, But I Needed Revenge - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

"Let me go!" My voice trembled as the men in black suits marched me through the wrought-iron gates of the Smith estate.
The mansion rose before me like something from a Gothic novel - all marble columns and manicured hedges that probably cost more than my entire life savings. My palms were sweating buckets, my heart pounding so loud I was sure they could hear it.
They knew.
They'd discovered I took the ring. That's why I was here - not for tea and crumpets, but to face the music for swiping their precious family heirloom.
By the time we reached the grand foyer, my legs had turned to jelly. The place reeked of old money - crystal chandeliers throwing rainbow prisms across marble floors, a staircase wide enough to drive a car up. It made me feel about two inches tall.
Then I saw her.
Dorothea Smith stood center stage like the queen of some European principality, radiating that perfect mix of authority and warmth. Nadia's supposed mother.
The second our eyes met, I completely lost it. "I'm sorry!" The words came out in a messy sob as tears streamed down my face. "I didn't mean to steal it, I swear! I just needed money to get away because Nadia and Gabriel—"
Before I could finish my rambling apology, Dorothea closed the distance between us and pulled me into a bone-crushing hug.
"Oh, sweetheart," she murmured, her own voice shaking. "Stop this. You're not in trouble."
I went rigid, completely thrown.
Dorothea leaned back just enough to grip my shoulders, her eyes shining. "That ring was always yours," she said softly. "You're its rightful owner."
Her words hit me like a freight train. "What?" I blinked stupidly, my brain short-circuiting.
Instead of answering, she turned me around with surprising gentleness, her fingers moving to the back of my blouse. "May I?"
I nodded numbly, too shell-shocked to protest.
The cool air hit my skin as she exposed my lower back. Then I felt it - her fingertips brushing lightly over that small patch of skin at the base of my spine.
A choked sob escaped her.
"It's true," she whispered, like she couldn't believe it herself. "It's really you."
This time when she hugged me, she clung like I might vanish. "You're our daughter. Our beautiful, long-lost daughter."
The words didn't compute. This had to be some kind of mistake.
"I... I don't understand," I stammered.
Dorothea cradled my face, her expression equal parts joy and heartbreak. "I'm so sorry, Amanda. I can't imagine what you've endured all these years." Her voice cracked. "But you're home now."
Hours later, I still couldn't wrap my head around it.
I sat propped against the mountain of pillows on a bed fit for royalty, staring at a bedroom bigger than my entire apartment. Maids kept flitting in like hummingbirds, presenting gowns that cost more than my college tuition and jewelry that probably needed its own security detail.
Apparently there was some fancy dinner tonight where I'd be unveiled as the prodigal Smith daughter. The whole thing felt surreal - like I'd stumbled into someone else's life. Just last week I was scraping by, desperate to escape my toxic mess of a relationship. Now I was being treated like freaking Cinderella.
I stood like a mannequin as they draped me in an emerald gown that made my eyes pop, barely registering my reflection. Then the door exploded open.
Nadia stormed in like a hurricane, her face twisted in rage.
"You!" she spat, slamming the door so hard the crystal vases rattled. Her eyes zeroed in on my back with laser focus as she advanced.
"What do you want?" I demanded, my voice glacial.
Instead of answering, she lunged, grabbing my arm and spinning me around. "Show me!" she shrieked, clawing at my dress. "Let me see your back!"
"Get the hell off me!" I shoved her, but she came at me like a rabid animal.
Her nails drew blood as she ripped at the fabric. When she saw the birthmark, her face did this terrifying contortion.
"No," she hissed, shaking her head like a child throwing a tantrum. "This is fake. You did something. You're not the real daughter. I am!"
I broke free, adrenaline surging. "You've completely lost it, Nadia."
"You stole everything!" she screamed, her voice hitting dog-whistle pitches. "My family! My life! You can't have this!"
That did it. I grabbed a fistful of her perfect hair and yanked hard, sending her stumbling back.
"Touch me again and I'll break every manicured finger you've got," I snarled.
Nadia came at me with claws out, but I slapped her so hard her head snapped sideways. The crack echoed through the room. She froze, cheek flaming, chest heaving.
Without breaking eye contact, I strode to the door and flung it open. Two beefy security guys stood at attention.
"Ban her from the property," I said, pointing at Nadia like she was week-old garbage.
Nadia's face twisted into something truly ugly as the guards moved in. "You'll regret this!" she screeched, fighting their grip. "I'll make sure of it, Amanda! You'll pay for everything!"
Her threats faded down the hallway as they dragged her away. I didn't even blink.
Game on.