Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 239

"Absolutely not." Diana's tone left zero room for argument. "Juliette, you grew up in our home. We have always treated you as our own flesh and blood. You and Edmond are siblings. Never bring this up again."

Juliette opened her mouth to argue, but Diana was already standing, pulling her toward the stairs. "Alright, that's enough. Go wash your face. Your eyes are completely swollen."

Juliette bit her lip, a flash of deep resentment crossing her eyes.

She always assumed that because Arthur and Diana favored her over Nora, they were grooming her to marry Edmond.

But they didn't want that at all. They just wanted a daughter.

But she didn't want to be their daughter. She only wanted Edmond.

Standing in the bathroom, Juliette stared at her tear-stained reflection. Her hands gripped the edge of the marble sink until her knuckles turned white.

No.

She wasn't giving up. She had waited for him for years. She had done too much to back down now.

Juliette splashed cold water on her face, letting the shock clear her frantic thoughts. She was going to have Edmond, no matter what it took.

That night, Juliette didn't return to her apartment. She stayed at Sterling Manor, chatting with Diana late into the evening and buttering her up until the older woman was beaming.

By the time she retreated to the guest room, it was almost ten.

She didn't go to sleep. Instead, she dug a small vial out of her purse. It contained a few white pills—no label, no instructions. She had bought it off the black market. The dealer promised it was incredibly potent. It could turn the most stoic man into an animal.

Juliette clutched the vial, her fingers trembling. Not from fear, but from raw, intoxicating excitement.

She had waited for this day for far too long.

"Do whatever you want." Edmond shot her a cold glance, loosening his tie as he headed for the stairs.

But before he could take a few steps, Juliette grabbed his arm. "Drink the tea first. Mom specifically told me to make sure you finish it."

Edmond looked at her with pure annoyance but grabbed the mug and downed it in one go to shut her up.

He shoved the empty mug back into her hands and marched upstairs. Once in his bedroom, he hit the shower. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the steaming hot water, but something felt wrong.

A fire ignited in his chest, rapidly spreading to his limbs. His mouth went dry, his skin burned, and his breathing grew heavy.

He dried off and poured himself a glass of cold water, only to realize his hands were shaking violently.

The glass slipped, shattering across the floor.