Falling for Her- A Heiress Abandoned

Chapter 3

Just before dawn, a crack of thunder ripped through the sky, jolting me awake. My hands trembled as I reached for my phone, thumb instinctively hovering over Kyle Grant's contact.

Then I saw it—Jenny Foster's social media update. Reality came crashing back.

"Kyle and Kevin promised they'll stay by my side every time it rains."

The photo showed a pink princess bedroom—mine. Two blankets spread across the floor like the ones Kyle and Kevin used to wrap around me when I was scared of storms. When I was still theirs.

Now, they were doing the same thing. Just not for me.

I curled deeper under my blanket, trying to force sleep, trying to forget. But then my phone rang, slicing through the silence.

"Get over here. Now. It's urgent."

Kevin's voice was tight with panic, nothing like his usual calm.

I didn't answer. I didn't need to. If it was "urgent," it had to be about Jenny.

Then came the pounding on my door. A second later, Kyle burst in.

"Quit the drama, Lynn. Come with me—Jenny won't eat. She says she needs your herbal chicken soup."

His words hit harder than the storm outside.

That soup was sacred. My mom taught me how to make it before she passed away. I'd only ever made it for Kyle and Kevin.

They knew that.

"Why the soup? It's not our parents' death anniversary." My throat burned, but I wouldn't let myself cry.

Kyle's jaw clenched. He grabbed my wrist. "Don't be morbid. If Jenny wants it, you make it."

He dragged me to the Grant mansion. Kevin was already at the dining table, trying to get Jenny to take a bite.

The table was loaded. Every dish handmade—by Kyle.

Even on my birthdays, he'd never gone this far. But for Jenny's poor appetite? They were losing their minds.

"Lynn, I'm so sorry," Jenny whimpered, rubbing her eyes. "After the accident, I've been anxious. I can't eat. Kyle said your soup always helped, so I just thought…"

I cut her off. "If you're sick, see a doctor. Soup doesn't cure trauma."

Tears sprang to Jenny's eyes, big and glistening like she'd practiced them in a mirror.

Kevin immediately pulled her into his arms. "It's okay, Jen. Don't let her upset you," he murmured, shooting me a glare.

But Kyle snapped.

He grabbed the vase from the table and hurled it.

It smashed against my shin. I barely flinched as blood streaked down my leg.

That vase… I had made it for Kyle's birthday. Took a month of pottery classes, hands blistered from shaping it. He once called it a "family heirloom."

Now it was shards at my feet—just another thing he'd weaponized.

He didn't even look at it.

Jenny waved her hand, and her black dog—Coco—bolted toward me.

My breath caught.

I turned to run, but Coco was faster, his teeth sinking into my arm.

"No, Coco! Stop! Lynn's not bad!" Jenny shrieked, but only after the damage was done.

I screamed and struggled. Coco wouldn't let go.

Kyle and Kevin didn't move. They were too busy shielding Jenny like I was the threat.

Pain tore through me as Coco reopened an old scar. I'd been attacked by a dog when I was ten. Ever since, Kyle and Kevin had promised never to own one.

But this wasn't my home anymore.

Mrs. Wilson, the housekeeper, finally pulled Coco off.

"Miss Lynn, let me clean that up." Her voice was soft, full of pity.

I shook my head. "No need. I'll go to the hospital."

I forced myself up. My leg throbbed, my arm burned, but I walked out.

The hallway that used to showcase my paintings? Now filled with Jenny's. Mine were shoved in a dusty corner.

The swing Kyle built for me in the yard? Torn down. A rose garden stood in its place.

The smell hit me before I could turn away.

Too late.

Red welts bloomed across my skin.

I was allergic to roses.

I let out a bitter laugh.

Last New Year's Eve, Kyle and Kevin swore, "No one will ever hurt you while we're around."

But now? They were the ones cutting deepest.

My knees buckled. I collapsed at the edge of the driveway.

Their car sped past.

"That's Lynn—"

"Leave her. You're the one that matters."