Return of the Crowned Heiress novel Chapter 252

Everywhere Carmen turned, she was met with accusatory stares. People whispered, pointed, and smirked, feeding on her misery like vultures circling their prey.

In a fit of rage, she hurled the bag of groceries straight at the couple, shouting, "You're the ones who are shameless, not me! Get lost! Leave me alone!"

The man, quick to save himself, ducked and stepped aside.

But his wife wasn't so lucky. The bag hit her square in the chest. Furious, the woman stormed forward, grabbing Carmen's hair with both hands.

"You filthy tramp!" she screeched, dragging Carmen down. "What gave you the right to hit me? I'll show you what happens when you mess with me!"

The woman was built like a linebacker, strong and unrelenting. Carmen, despite her struggles, was no match for her.

Within seconds, she was pinned to the pavement. She was helpless against the weight pressing her down.

"Let's see how brave you are once I strip you bare!" the woman spat venomously, clawing at Carmen's clothes.

The sound of tearing fabric cut through the air like a knife. The chill of the open air hit Carmen's exposed skin, and she froze.

"No! Stop it! Let go of me!" Carmen screamed, tears streaming down her face. Her cries became desperate and echoed across the street.

For all her efforts to pretend she didn't care about the lies, the gossip, or the humiliation, this moment shattered that façade. She cared. She cared too much.

As the woman ripped at her shirt, Carmen's mind snapped. A surge of adrenaline coursed through her, and with a guttural scream, she pushed the woman off. She was sent staggering backward.

Without stopping to think, Carmen clutched at her torn clothes and ran. She didn't know where she was going, but she didn't care. Her feet carried her to the top of her apartment building—to the rooftop.

The wind was cold up there, biting against her skin, but Carmen didn't feel it.

Standing at the edge, she looked down at the world below. The sounds from the streets, the cars, and the people faded away.

"Just jump, Carmen." She told herself it would be easy. Just one step forward, and it would all be over.