Reincarnation Failed, I Became A Cat To Save The True Heiress Chapter 02

Reincarnation Failed, I Became A Cat To Save The True Heiress Chapter 02

“Serena, don’t panic. Marmalade just got spooked.”

Julian moved fast.

He passed the baby off to the nanny, crossed the room in three strides, and planted himself between Serena and the cart.

“You just had a baby. You need to rest. You can’t get worked up right now.”

“I’ll have Martha wheel the waste out, and we’ll have a vet take a look at Marmalade.”

Every word out of his mouth sounded perfectly reasonable. His eyes were brimming with concern.

Chloe jumped right in, already heading for the cart.

“He’s right, Serena. The smell of this medical waste isn’t good for you or the baby.”

“Let me get this bag out before Marmalade loses it again.”

She reached for the black bag.

I watched her fingers close in, and rage flashed hot through me.

[You. Hiding behind the best friend act all this time, living off everything that was ours!]

[And now you’re stealing a baby from this family?]

[Touch that bag. I dare you.]

I coiled and launched.

The second her fingers grazed the plastic, I flew at her, claws flying toward her upper arm.

Chloe screamed.

My claws shredded the silk scarf wrapped around her neck.

The scarf fell away, and there it was: a vintage emerald locket, dangling against her bare skin for everyone to see.

Serena went still.

The stone was flawless, deep green and perfectly clear.

And right along its edge was a hairline crack.

Serena had spent two million at auction for that locket three years ago. A thirtieth birthday gift for Julian.

He’d nicked the edge by accident once, and she remembered how upset he’d been about it.

She’d told him not to worry, that it gave the piece character.

So why was it hanging around Chloe’s neck?

The room went dead silent.

Serena’s breathing picked up. Her eyes didn’t leave the locket.

“Chloe.” Her voice was ice.

“Where did you get that?”

The color drained out of Chloe’s face. Her hand flew to her throat.

“I… it’s a knockoff. I just bought it because…”

“Serena, it’s not what you think. I just liked the design…”

Julian’s jaw clenched.

He spun around, yanked Chloe behind him, and squared his shoulders, making himself a wall.

“Serena, are you seriously accusing me right now?”

His voice cracked just enough to sound wounded.

“Three years I’ve been part of this family. Three years I’ve given you everything: every hour, every decision, every compromise!”

“Our daughter was born today, and you’re going to let a hysterical cat and a similar necklace turn you against me?”

His eyes glistened on cue. The performance was flawless.

“Chloe has done nothing but take care of you, and this is how you repay her?”

“Is this postpartum paranoia or something? Because you’re not making any sense!”

Serena’s lips pressed together, trembling.

She stared at the hurt written all over his face, and the certainty she’d felt seconds ago began to crack.

Julian had always been good to her. Too good. The kind of good that left no room for suspicion.

She almost believed him.

Then the imposter’s voice chirped again. [Daddy’s so smart! A few words, and the stupid woman fell for it!]

[Hurry up and get rid of that trash bag! Once that brat’s dead, I’ll be the only heir!]

I was shaking with rage. These two had been playing Serena from the start.

I bolted back to the bag, clamped my teeth on the corner, and pulled.

[Serena! Don’t believe him! Look at the bag! LOOK AT THE BAG!]

The bag scraped across the floor while I dragged it toward her.

Through the torn plastic, a sound slipped out.

A weak, broken whimper.

Barely a whisper of a cry.

But in that silence, everyone heard it.

Serena froze.

Her eyes locked on the bag.

There was something alive in that bag.