Chapter 45: Must You Be So Relentless?

However, when he looked up, he met Raylee's hate-filled eyes. He lost his courage; his efforts were too late, utterly useless. Raylee wouldn't accept his apology. She despised him intensely. Her gaze was like a knife, relentlessly piercing his heart. The pain rendered him speechless, breathless; a torment akin to his soul being torn apart.

"Apologize right now!" Alaric demanded sternly.

"I'm sorry," Samuel mumbled, hardly able to look at Raylee.

Raylee found his apology perfunctory. Harriet approached, concerned: "Raylee, does your face hurt? Let me take a look." Raylee swatted her hand away. Harriet stumbled backward, saved by Waverly's support.

Witnessing this, Samuel's guilt vanished, replaced by anger. "Raylee, I hit you. Why did you hit Mom? You could have taken your anger out on me, but you didn't have to involve Mom. She did nothing to provoke you!"

"None of you are worth my attention now!" Raylee snapped, her gaze sharp. She grabbed a vase and smashed it on the ground.

"Raylee, have you lost your mind? That's Dad's favorite antique vase!" Samuel exclaimed.

He wanted to stop her, but it was too late. The Goodridge family stared in disbelief at the shattered remains. Raylee then yanked a painting from the wall and tore it to shreds.

"Raylee, have you had enough? Touch another household item, and don't blame me for a complete fallout!" Samuel grabbed her hand.

Every move Raylee made radiated disdain. "Are you looking for a fight? Fine!" she sneered. "I've been itching for a confrontation, and no one will escape unscathed!" She slapped Samuel.

A sharp sound echoed.

Raylee let out a scornful snicker. "So, you're getting a taste of your own medicine, huh? You think you're the only one allowed to throw punches? Does it hurt? Good. This slap is a wake-up call. If I could walk out of prison alive, I won't let you push me around anymore!"

Waverly rushed to Samuel's defense, pleading pitifully. "Raylee, hasn't Samuel suffered enough with the gunshot wound? If you're angry, take it out on me, not him!"

"Wavy, get out of here! Raylee is out of control!" Samuel pulled her away. Waverly refused, tears welling. "If Raylee could vent her anger on me, and Samuel wouldn't be hurt, I'm willing to take the beating."

"Wavy, you're so naive!" he exclaimed. "What have I done to deserve such a wonderful sister?"

Their bond moved heaven and earth. Raylee almost applauded; their kinship was built on her demise. She glared at Waverly. "Do you really think I wouldn't dare touch you? I'll settle this score with you, slowly!"

Raylee's words were a low growl, a sinister undertone sending chills down spines. Waverly trembled, unsure if her fear was genuine or just overly sensitive tear ducts. The little princess's tears pained the Goodridge family.

Harriet intervened: "Raylee, why are you scaring Waverly? Even if she made a mistake four years ago, the Goodridge family raised you. That should offset any wrongdoing!"

"Your mother is right," Alaric added. "Eighteen years of wealth and honor exchanged for four years in prison—you've made a profit!"

"Hah…" Raylee laughed sarcastically. "Had I known that wealth and status came with calamity, would I have ever cared to be a pampered heiress? I'm giving it all back. You give me back those four years, my health, and a whole heart!"

"Enough, Raylee! So what if I was in prison for four years? Must you be so relentless?" Samuel accused angrily.