He Killed My Dog, So I Took His Empire

The year Lucian and I hated each other the most.

For the sake of his mistress, Lucian tortured and killed Brutus, the dog I’d raised for ten years.

In retaliation, I carved five holes into her and called it screaming art.

Everyone thought Lucian would take my life.

Instead, he shoved a divorce agreement at me, his voice ice-cold.

“You’re nothing but a dog of the Falcone family. If you’re going to be rabid, then get out.”

After that night, I disappeared.

Until five years later, when I attended a gala and came face-to-face with his mistress.

The woman splashed red wine on me. “Well, look who it is. The dog the Falcone family threw away.”

I grabbed a champagne bottle and smashed it over her head. "Five years and you still haven't learned some manners. Today, I'll teach you."

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1

Ava’s shriek echoed through the hall.

The lackeys trailing Ava immediately stepped in front of her, barking at me.

"Who the hell are you!"

"Do you have any idea who you just hit!"

"I'm telling you," the one with the loudest voice said, pointing at me, "she is the fiancée of the Falcone family heir! You've crossed her! Mr. Falcone will not let you get away with this!"

Someone else stepped forward to block my path, a mocking sneer on his face.

"I'd like to see who's blind enough to offend the woman Mr. Falcone protects. Everyone knows how he dotes on his woman. Usually, if Miss Ava so much as hurts a single hair on her head, Mr. Falcone will raise hell, let alone you smashing her head open!"

Ava clutched her bleeding forehead, her gaze vicious.

"I'm telling you, Chiara, I was kind enough to let you go five years ago, but that doesn't mean I'm still afraid of you now! You're nothing but a dog Lucian kept at home! I could get rid of you five years ago, and now that you dare to show your face again, I can get rid of you just the same!"

I observed the changes in Ava after five years.

I had to admit.

Lucian had certainly raised her well. The woman who once could only timidly call me "Mrs. Falcone" was now bold enough to threaten to "get rid of me" in public.

Unfortunately for her, I was never a pushover.

Not five years ago.

And not now.

Surrounded by a crowd, I looked at the shattered glass on the floor. I bent down and, to everyone's shock, picked up a shard and smiled.

"Ava."

I walked toward her, step by step.

"Five years ago," I said, holding the blood-stained shard, "I was far too easy on you."

"What."

My gaze drifted down to Ava’s abdomen, and I traced a line from her face downwards with the shard. "Did stabbing you in the womb not teach you a lesson?"

"In that case."

My smile turned sinister. Before anyone could react, I raised the shard and plunged it viciously toward Ava’s stomach.

But before the shard could reach Ava’s belly, my wrist was suddenly seized. Screams erupted around me, and I heard Ava’s tear-filled voice.

"Lucian."

"I'm scared."

Five years ago, as I held Ava on the ground and stabbed her again and again, she had worn the same terrified expression, crying out weakly.

"Lucian, I'm scared."

The memories overlapped.

A long-lost yet familiar voice sounded from behind me.

"Chiara, it's been five years."

Lucian's voice was grim. "What, still haven't learned your lesson?"

My wrist was wrenched outwards, the pain forcing a frown onto my face. But unlike five years ago, there was no submission, no surrender.

Instead, it ignited a bloodlust I could no longer contain. I tightened my grip on the shard, feeling it pierce my palm, and at the very moment Lucian was about to snatch it away…

I turned my head quickly and smiled at Lucian.

"Long time no see."

"Lucian."

The shard plunged deep into Lucian's arm. Blood splattered, blurring my vision.