Page 229 of Maddening Fixation

Yarina stood there.

The woman I once called my sister.

The woman whose name used to mean family.

Now, it only meant betrayal.

She leaned casually against the doorframe, wearing a smug smile like she enjoyed seeing my reaction.

“Surprised to see me?”

My anger rose instantly. “Leave.”

One word.

No hesitation.

The memory came back like a blade twisting through my chest.

Raven.

My beautiful cat.

The innocent creature who had done nothing except love me.

And Yarina had taken his life without a second thought.

I still remembered the helpless rage.

The grief.

The way something inside me had broken that day.

Four months ago, consumed by rage, I had thrown a ceramic mug at her, desperate to hurt her in that moment of blind anger.

But standing there now, staring at her face, I wished I had done more.

So much more.

Yarina pushed away from the door and stepped into the room.

“I heard you were locked up here for four months.”

Her eyes moved around the room before returning to mine.

“Like an animal.”

My hands curled into fists. “I’m warning you.”

My voice dropped low. “Get the fuck out of my room before I lose control.”

Instead of leaving, she smiled wider.

That smile.

That same arrogant, cruel smile that had always made me want to wipe it from her face.

“I’m actually angry.” She took another step toward me. “Do you know why?”