Chapter 5

Today was already the worst day of Shiloh's life.

Her son was dead.

No one could understand that kind of grief. Even with a broken leg, she'd dragged herself here to say goodbye.

But the Prestons threw her out of the memorial room.

They beat her with canes. Threw rocks at her. Dumped all their hate on a mother who had just lost her child.

A rock hit Shiloh's forehead, and blood ran down her face. Someone ripped away her crutch and beat her with it.

She collapsed, her clothes and skin smeared with blood.

"Stop!"

Manuel rushed over and shielded her.

"Have you all lost your minds? Zach's death was an accident. Shiloh had nothing to do with it. Anyone who touches her again answers to me."

His gaze swept the crowd.

As head of the Preston family, no one dared challenge him.

The crowd scattered.

Only then did Manuel's face soften.

He carried Shiloh upstairs, grabbed the first-aid kit, and treated her wounds himself.

But Shiloh didn't look grateful.

She stared at him, ice-cold.

"Manuel, Rainee took Zach surfing. Why did your mother accuse me of killing him?"

His hand froze around the gauze.

"You know Rainee's place in this family is... complicated," he said. "She grew up as one of us, then everyone found out she'd been switched at birth. The family already resents her. If they learn she played a part in Zach's death, they'll cut her off for good."

He hesitated.

"But you're different. You're my wife. As long as I'm here, no one will disrespect you. Take the blame for Rainee. I'll make it up to you by transferring half of Preston Corp's shares to you."

He looked at Shiloh, uneasy.

He expected anger.

Tears.

For her to ask why he always chose Rainee over her.

Instead, her calm scared him.

She didn't argue. Didn't complain.

She only glanced at him.

"Whatever you want. I don't care."

She'd agreed.

He should've felt relieved.

Instead, his thoughts spiraled.

"Don't get the wrong idea. Rainee is just family to me," Manuel said, even though she hadn't asked. "We grew up together. I've always seen her as my real sister. Then we found out she'd been switched at birth. The second the truth came out, she lost everything. Everyone in the Preston family turned on her. I couldn't."

"I understand," Shiloh said, eyes lowered. "You don't have to explain."

Only people in love needed explanations.

She didn't love him anymore.

She didn't need one from him.

Even if he slept with Rainee right in front of her, she wouldn't care enough to ask.

Manuel looked even more annoyed. Before he could speak, a maid rushed in.

"Mr. Preston, something happened. Ms. Duffy came to pay respects to Zach, but she ran into Ms. Preston. They're fighting downstairs."

She meant Christy Preston, the family's biological daughter.

Before coming back to the Prestons, Christy had lived through hell. Her adoptive father had even sexually abused her.

She hated Rainee.

Every time she saw her, she went after her—hitting, kicking, no mercy.

Rainee never fought back. She'd drop to the floor and play the victim.

The second Manuel heard Christy and Rainee were fighting, he panicked.

He set down the gauze and stood.

"Shiloh, bandage yourself. I need to go downstairs before Christy tears the house apart."

Without waiting for an answer, he rushed out.

Shiloh almost laughed.

Christy was Manuel's real sister.

Yet he never cared about the years she'd spent beaten, abused, and hurt by her adoptive father.

No. He only cared about Rainee's fake tears.

Downstairs, Manuel faced the whole family with Rainee hiding behind him.

Christy's sobs carried all the way upstairs.

"Manuel! I'm your real sister! Why have you never once taken my side? Why do you always choose Rainee?"

She cried until her voice went raw.

"You've always been like this. You're just as cruel to Shiloh. That manipulative girl keeps setting her up, and you fall for it every time. That's why Shiloh's done with you. Haven't you noticed she barely talks to you anymore?"

"Because she finally sees you for who you are.

"She stopped expecting anything from you."