Page 147 of Bitter Truths

We all go still, listening.

The basement door slams open, knocking into the wall, and Whitney appears at the top of the stairs. But this isn’t the polished socialite we’re used to seeing.

She’s a disaster.

Blood spatters her all-white outfit. Her hair has fallen out of its bun and looks like a rat’s nest. Her makeup is smeared, mascara streaking down her cheeks like black tears. One arm is cradled in a sling, her hand clearly injured and useless.

She looks like she’s been in a fight.

And lost.

“Well, well,” she coos, descending the stairs. A chill goes through the room. “Look at my beautiful boys. Did you miss me?”

None of us answers. The sight of her covered in blood flashes like a red danger sign.

Whose blood?

“I had the most interesting morning,” Whitney continues, approaching the cages with that same unhinged smile. “Want to guess what happened?”

Silence.

“No? Not feeling chatty?” She laughs, high and sharp. “That’s okay. I’ll tell you anyway.”

She stops in front of Owen’s cage, close enough to touch the bars.

“I went to the spa,” Whitney says conversationally. “You know, for some relaxation after my long trip.”

Bianca mentioned going to the spa with her mom.

“And guess who I ran into?”

She pauses, savoring our silence.

“Your little whore.”

Owen steps forward, hands wrapping around the bars. “Don’t you dare fucking⁠—“

“Don’t I dare what?” Whitney’s tone turns razor-sharp. “State the obvious?”

She moves restlessly, energy crackling off her in waves of agitation.

“She’s pathetic,” Whitney observes with venom. “Like a stray dog begging for scraps.”

The cage bars creak under my grip.

“I tried to be nice,” Whitney continues. “Tried to catch up with my old friend. But she was so... hostile. So defensive. Almost like she had something to hide.”

She stops pacing, turning to face us.

“So I asked her if she touched you.”

The temperature in the room drops ten degrees.

“And you know what the lying little bitch did?”

Whitney reaches into her purse, pulling out her phone.

The video starts playing, and my world stops.