Chapter 933

Agony crashed over her like tidal waves.

Mia Lombardi curled up in the corner, nails digging deep into her palms. Every inch of her skin screamed as if countless ants were devouring her flesh.

Cold sweat drenched her back.

Vivian Laurent had been too preoccupied shopping with Emily Garnache these past two days to notice her distress.

Was this what poison onset felt like?

Mia bit through her lower lip. She'd thought staying indoors would help her endure it, but the pain surpassed all imagination.

She'd once sworn never to harm Vivian.

Now, survival was all that mattered.

Self-preservation ruled them all.

Trembling, she staggered to her feet and lurched toward the meeting point.

The night hung thick as ink.

Mia waited until her legs gave out. Just as darkness threatened to claim her, Liam Valdemar's silhouette emerged in the moonlight.

"Changed your mind?" His voice dripped with mockery.

Mia lunged forward. "The antidote! Give it to me now!"

Liam dangled a porcelain vial. "Right here."

She grabbed for it, but he easily evaded.

"Not a single drop of the poison I gave you was used." His laugh turned icy. "Defying me?"

"You've been watching me?" Her pupils constricted.

Liam shrugged. "What if I have?"

"Vivian's been kind to me..." Mia's voice shook. "Why hurt her?"

"Kind?" Fury contorted his features. "She never considered kindness when she betrayed me!"

"She deserves death for carrying another man's child!"

Madness churned in his eyes. After all the times he'd saved Vivian, she'd chosen Ethan Roscente.

How dare she?

Mia recoiled from his gaze. This wasn't love—it was twisted obsession.

"Maybe...there's been some misunderstanding?" she ventured.

"Silence!" Liam seized her throat. "Poison her or die."

The vial glinted coldly under the moon.

Mia's vision blurred. She knew no other choice remained.