Chapter 1004:

Mabel tilted her head, her eyes wide and gleaming like a curious cat. Even Elyse couldn’t suppress a shiver at that look.

Irritated, Elyse snapped, “If you don’t believe me, why ask?”

Mabel, biting her lip and drifting back to the blissful days at Hyde’s house, asked, “But if he deceived me, why was he so kind?”

Elyse sighed, shaking her head. “He’s treating you well to deceive you. It’s all part of the game.”

Mabel’s voice grew louder, defensive. “But what could he gain by tricking me? I don’t have any money.”

Elyse’s face hardened, a sneer curling her lips. “Not every scam is about money, Mabel. What about your body? Hasn’t he already had that?”

Mabel flinched. A wave of shame washed over her, memories of those wild, reckless nights with Hyde flashing through her mind. So, was that all it had been? Just lust, with no real love?

Insulted and stung, Mabel’s voice trembled. “Is that what you wanted? To see me humiliated, lied to by some asshole, just so you could gloat?”

Elyse raised an eyebrow, her frustration palpable. “Why do you always misconstrue me? Do you really think I take pleasure in your misery?”

Her words struck a nerve, and Mabel’s anger flared. With each word, she shoved Elyse harder. “Yes! You’re always so high and mighty, while I’m the screw-up! Do you know what I hate most about you?”

Mabel spat, her voice cracking. “What I hate is that you always act like it’s for my own good. But you push me further into the abyss. What kind of sister are you?”

To Elyse, this was absurd. She blinked, wondering if Mabel even heard herself. Spoiled rotten by Glenda and Lanny, Mabel had never been told ‘no,’ never known limits. Elyse’s patience was exhausted.

“So, it’s my fault your life’s a mess? Let’s be real—did I bring Hyde into your life? No, Mabel. You introduced him to me. I didn’t know the guy until you brought him around. What could I have done to stop this?”

Mabel’s face twisted, the weight of Elyse’s words settling in, but she refused to admit defeat. “Enough! I don’t want to hear anymore.” Her eyes glinted with desperation. “You’re my sister. You can’t abandon me, right?”

Elyse narrowed her eyes. “What did you say?”

“You’re my sister! I’ve been tricked by a jerk. You should help me get even.” Before Elyse could respond, Mabel reached into her pocket, pulling out a handkerchief. With swift, practiced ease, she pressed it to Elyse’s face. . . .