Chapter 2

“Cassidy, are you out of your mind? Why are you buying so many puffer coats? Are you planning on freezing to death and coming back as an ice zombie or something?”

Mrs. Stone stomped over and shoved me hard. “You small-town girl, you’ve never had nice things, have you? Spending my son’s money like it’s free.”

I jolted awake, taking in the scene before me.

The air conditioning was on, and the house was warm, yet a bone-chilling cold seeped into me.

Being frozen into an ice sculpture wasn’t a pleasant feeling. I snatched a puffer coat and pulled it on.

The warmth brought me back to my senses. The familiar surroundings confirmed it: I had been reborn.

“What’s wrong with you? Are we abusing you? Why are you acting like this?”

Mrs. Stone’s incessant nagging droned in my ears, as if everything I did was wrong.

I let out a slow breath, trying to keep my voice calm. “I saw online that a massive blizzard is predicted for next week, so I thought I’d buy you all some extra-thick coats.”

“Ha! See? I told you you’re from a small town. No matter how cold it gets, I only wear pure wool coats, darling. Pure wool! It’s never cold in those!”

Mrs. Stone rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with disdain.

Asher, my husband, and I were college sweethearts.

My parents died when I was young, and I only got through college thanks to my relatives.

That was always their big problem with me – the reason my in-laws looked down on me.

Mrs. Stone always prided herself on being a sophisticated city socialite, never caught in anything bulky, only pure wool coats in winter.

Just then, Chloe, Asher’s younger sister, strolled out of her room.

She wore a thin knit top, a short skirt, and black tights.

It was already minus five degrees Fahrenheit outside; that outfit would leave her shivering.

Chloe glanced at the coats on the floor, her disgust clear on her face.

“Cassidy, what *is* all this ugly junk? And where’s my coat? Did you pick it up from the dry cleaner’s?”

I pointed to the sofa. “It’s there.”

Chloe walked over and put it on, not forgetting to boss me around as she did.

“I have two papers due next week. Don’t forget to write them for me, okay? And Liam’s clothes are in my room. Make sure they’re clean. He needs them in a few days.”

She ordered me around as if it were her absolute right, as if I were nothing more than a maid in this house.

No, to be precise, I was worse than a maid.

Who ever heard of a maid having to wash her sister-in-law’s *boyfriend’s* socks and underwear?

My nails dug into my palms, the sharp pain the only thing stopping me from slapping that smug look right off her face.

Because now wasn’t the time for revenge. This family’s comeuppance was still ahead.

I turned to Mrs. Stone. “You’re right, Mom. These clothes are beneath you. I’ll return them right now.”

With that, I grabbed the bags and stormed out of the house.