Page 38 of Sweet Dominion

The close connection we had as kids slowly widened between us, eroding into toxicity. Tainted by my father’s bullshit plans for the East.

Now. . .we would never heal the bond that my father had torn apart.

I thought. . .I had time. . .

Returning to the present moment, I took a shuddering breath and tried to steady myself.

Moni looked at me. “Talk to me, baby.”

“Yan deserved better than that.” I wiped my tears.

“I-I’m sorry for. . .telling him.”

“No, Moni.” I shook my head. “You think he just decided to kill her last night?”

“Yes. If I had never said anything—”

“My father is notthatimpulsive, Moni. He's cold. Calculating. This was planned. . .for alongtime.”

My heart threatened to break free from my chest.

“But Song looked surprised.”

“My uncle was probably just surprised that he actually did it but I bet even Uncle Song knew of his plan months ago.”

“And your aunts?”

I looked up and to my shock, Aunt Suzi and Aunt Min were heading over. “Well. . .we’ll see, if my aunts knew.”

Moni glanced over her shoulder. “Oh.”

They both marched over with fury in their eyes, their usually pleasant expressions twisted into scowls. Their fists were clenched tightly and their steps were heavy as they approached.

I let go of Moni and fully faced them.

Aunt Min stopped four feet in front of us. “Lei, what are you doing? The tea ceremony was already going spectacular. Monique had all of their hearts with that speech and the tea smells delicious but is probably cold now—”

“Did you know my father killed Yan?”

Fast, Aunt Min stepped back like I brutally slapped her.

I frowned. “Did you?”

Widening her eyes, Aunt Min looked at Moni and then she turned back to me. “What did you say?”

“Did you know that my father killed my sister? Cut off her head.”

“What are these lies?” Aunt Suzi’s aggravated face now twisted in pure horror. “Do not ever talk about my brother in that way—”

“He killed her.”

“Lei.” Aunt Suzi pointed at me. “This is not funny. I do not know what you are trying to do but. . .”

She couldn’t even finish the sentence as that pointed finger shook.

I studied them both and understood one simple fact.

They didn’t know.

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