Page 171 of Maddening Fixation

Because of Yarina.

My grief twisted into something darker and hotter.

My hands curled into fists until my nails dug painfully into my palms.

“How could you?” The words tore from my throat between broken sobs. “How could you do something so cruel?”

My voice cracked completely.

“Raven never hurt anyone. She trusted you.”

Another laugh.

Cold and dismissive.

“It was just a filthy cat, Juliet.” Her tone dripped with contempt. “Listen to yourself. You’re crying as though someone actually died.”

She sighed dramatically. “If it makes you feel any better, go tell Romeo.”

A mocking pause. “He won’t believe a single word you say.”

The smile in her voice widened.

“He loves me. He always will. And between the two of us, you already know whose side he’ll choose.”

She laughed again. “I warned you not to marry him. You should’ve listened.”

The call ended.

For several seconds, I remained frozen, shattered by what I had just heard.

My sister had killed my cat.

The one creature I had loved without conditions.

Something inside me broke.

Then it snapped.

The grief that had hollowed me moments ago burned away, replaced by a rage so violent it made my hands tremble.

She had taken something precious from me simply because she wanted to hurt me.

She had crossed a line she could never uncross.

A cry tore from my throat, barely human, and I hurled my phone across the room.

It struck the wall with a violent crack before crashing onto the floor.

I didn’t care if it was destroyed.

I wiped furiously at my tears, my breathing ragged as anger consumed the last of my fear.

No.

She wasn’t getting away with this.

Not this time.