[Volume 1] Chapter 2- Playing Victim.
The weight of the situation crashed down on him like a tidal wave, his face morphing from confusion to worry.
"Do you honestly think I'd pull the trigger, sweetheart?" Rihana's voice pierced the tense air, laced with sarcasm and bitterness aimed at Edward.
The gun remained gripped in her hand, a chilling reminder of the danger that had just passed, her fingers trembling against its cold surface.
Her usual confident facade wavered as she glanced at Edward, her affection for him evident in the gentleness of her tone and the vulnerability in her eyes.
"Honey," Rihana whispered, her voice a blend of love and desperation, "how could I even consider it? I love you more than anything." Her gaze, normally sharp and resolute, softened as she tried to convey the depth of her emotions to Edward.
Seeing the turmoil reflected in Rihana's eyes, Edward felt a pang of remorse tighten his chest. He knew he had wounded her deeply, and now, staring down the barrel of a gun wielded by the woman he once cherished, he spoke, his voice heavy with regret, "Rihana, please, put the gun down. Let's talk." His eyes pleaded with hers, silently begging for understanding.
Rihana's eyes burned with a mix of anger and pain as Edward's words hit her like a punch to the gut, igniting a tempest of emotions within her. "No, Edward! I can't just forgive this!" she cried out, her voice trembling with intense fury.
"She's not only taken you away from me but she's gone even further. She's taken my father's affection, my daughter, my dreams, everything that was once mine!" Each accusation weighed heavily in the air, piercing Rihana's heart with every word.
Tears blurred Rihana's vision as they cascaded down her cheeks. With a swift movement, she aimed the gun at Kiera, who stood eerily composed, unmoving in the face of Rihana's rage.
Edward, sensing the tension escalating, stepped forward, his voice firm yet pleading, "Please, Rihana, let's calm down. Kiera isn't to blame. If anyone's at fault, it's me."
Rihana's eyes blazed with fury at Edward's words. "No, Edward! It's all her fault!" she cried out, her voice trembling with emotion.
"She's the one who lured you away. She's the one who always pretended to be my sister and took everything from me. She's the one who ruined our marriage!"
As the tension peaked, a small figure emerged from the shadows—a five-year-old girl, her innocent voice breaking through the chaos.
"No, Mom, please don't shoot," she pleaded, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.
The child, with her brown hair tied up in a playful ponytail, stepped forward. Her innocent face betrayed a mix of fear and concern, dressed in a cheerful yellow floral dress that stood out against the somber backdrop of the room.
"No, Mom, please put the gun down," she begged again, her small hands clasped together in a desperate plea. Her voice quivered with the gravity of the situation, her eyes reflecting both confusion and a deep desire to stop the conflict.
Rihana's gaze flickered between her daughter and Kiera, torn between her maternal instincts and the rage burning inside her.
The sight of her daughter, dressed in such innocence amidst the chaos, tugged at her heartstrings, reminding her of the stakes involved.
Observing the tumultuous scene unfolding, Kiera couldn't suppress a bitter sense of amusement bubbling within her.
The absurdity of it all struck her profoundly, teetering on the edge of laughter at the sheer irony of their accusations.
How easily they painted her as the villain, the destroyer of a family, when in reality, she was merely a pawn in their game of love and betrayal.
Her lips curved in a wry smile, though her eyes remained heavy with the weight of their blame.
Amidst the chaos, Kiera's thoughts resonated with bitter irony.
'Is this the reward for all you've done, Kiera?' The words echoed painfully, a stark reminder of her sacrifices and the betrayal she now faced.
Life seemed to mock her, twisting her love and devotion into a cruel joke.
The step-sister she had cared for so deeply, now pointed a gun at her—a symbol of their shattered trust.
Glancing at the child she had raised with boundless affection, memories of her own child's passing flooded her heart, indirectly linked to this very child.
Despite the pain, a twisted sense of amusement flickered within Kiera.
And then there was Edward, her once-dear husband, whose betrayal felt like a brutal blow.
The laughter that threatened to spill forth was not one of joy but a recognition of harsh truths.
In that moment, Kiera was engulfed by a whirlwind of emotions—grief, anger, and profound disillusionment.
The weight of her choices bore down on her, leaving her adrift in a sea of turmoil and heartache.
Rihana's gaze softened as she beheld her child, a surge of maternal instinct overcoming her anger and hurt.
"My darling," she whispered, arms open wide as the child rushed into her embrace.
The warmth of her child's presence offered solace to Rihana's wounded soul, momentarily easing the turmoil within.
Reacting swiftly, Edward rushed towards them and wrestled the gun from Rihana's grip, tossing it to the ground with a resounding clatter.
"Are you out of your mind? What were you thinking?" His voice carried a blend of worry and exasperation, emphasizing the danger they had narrowly avoided, the consequences of Rihana's impulsive act hanging heavy in the air.
A tense silence settled over the room, the aftermath of the confrontation still palpable.
Rihana held her child close, her heart racing with a mix of relief, guilt, and lingering anger. Tear-filled eyes met Edward's gaze, struggling to articulate her reasons.
Sensing the tension, the child clung tighter to Rihana, seeking solace in her mother's embrace.
"Pffftt" As Kiera's laughter pierced the air, everyone turned their attention to her, the family members gathered around Rihana shifting their focus.
"What's so amusing, Kiera?" one of them inquired, a mix of curiosity and concern coloring their tone.