Chapter 260
a
After inheriting the family business, it felt like my life had been painted in color again.”
I established the largest children’s foundation in the world using my family’s wealth to help kids suffering from disease, poverty, and war. In their laughter, I often saw traces of Mick’s smile.
One day, I visited a remote village in Africa. As I was helping a frail little girl drink some water, I felt a piercing gaze fixed on me from behind. Even so, I brushed it off, thinking it was just another curious child.
But the moment I turned around, I saw her.
She was wearing a twisted, grotesque smile that sent chills down my spine.
Before I could even react, she moved lightning fast, pulling a gleaming dagger from beneath her robe and lunging straight at
me
It was Melanie.
My pupils shrank in shock. I tried to dodge, but she was too fast. The blade aimed right at my heart.”
In that split second, I didn’t even have time to scream. Just one thought flashed across my mind: Was this how I die?!
But right before the blade could pierce my chest, someone threw themselves at me, knocking me to the ground.
“Sadie! Watch out!” said that hoarse, familiar voice.
Then came the sickening thud of the dagger sinking into flesh.
I staggered back and fell, gasping. When I looked up, I saw Denton standing in front of me, shielding me with his body.
The dagger was lodged deep in his chest.
He was trying to stay upright, still trying to protect me.”
“De–Denton?!” My voice trembled as I looked at him, stunned.
Only then did he collapse to the ground, pale as a ghost. Blood pooling at the corners of his mouth, he tried to lift a hand toward my face but didn’t have the strength, so it fell limply.”
His eyes met mine, clouded, full of pain and regret, and finally, peace.”
“Sadie, I’m sorry,” he whispered with his last breath.
Then, slowly, his eyes closed. And he never opened them again.”
He was gone.”
For a moment, everything inside me went silent.
Gasps filled the air as everyone was frozen in disbelief.
My bodyguards reacted first. They rushed forward and pinned Melanie to the ground.
“You bitch! Why won’t you just die?! Why couldn’t I kill you?!” she shrieked like a madwoman, thrashing and screaming, “You ruined me! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!”
Slowly, I rose to my feet, still reeling. I looked at Denton’s lifeless body, then at the crazed woman who once tore my world apart.[
“You think I don’t deserve all this?” I walked up to Melanie and looked down at her, my eyes calm but cold. “You think this world belongs only to the strongest?”
She lifted her face defiantly, eyes burning with hatred. “Damn right! That’s how the world works. Survival of the fittest. And you, Sadie, you’re nothing but a worthless woman who used men to climb her way up!”
I chuckled. A low, emotionless laugh curled at my lips.
“Perfect,” I said, voice flat as ice. “Then you can go prove it.“”
I waved my hand toward my men. “Take her to the savanna. Let her show us just how strong she really is.“\
Melanie froze as terror washed over her face, draining all color. Then, a yellow puddle spread from beneath her feet.
Quickly, my bodyguards dragged her away.
In the distance was a stretch of vast, dry grassland. A few lions could also be seen lounging under the sun.
“No! Don’t! Let go of me! You can’t do this to me!” she screamed, kicking and clawing, but the wind quickly swallowed her voice.
They tossed her from the vehicle like a rag doll onto the hard ground, and the lions lifted their heads, sniffing the air, sensing the scent of blood.
She tried to run, but her legs wouldn’t move. They felt like lead.
Within seconds, the lions were upon her, circling, sizing her up. And when they were sure she was helpless, they pounced.
12:02 PM P
From a distance, I watched the brutal scene unfold. Her screams were sharp and shrill, then suddenly, they stopped, just like
that.
Her body was torn to pieces, and her voice was lost forever in the vast African grasslands./
It was over.
The wind blew hot against my face as I stood under the scorching sun. I rested my hand gently on my belly.
A few days ago, during a routine check–up, the doctor gave me unexpected news. I was pregnant.
A new life was growing inside me.\
Like a beam of light, this child illuminated my darkest past. He was healing every scar I carried.”
He reminded me that life could end, but hope could never die.”
I looked up at the blazing sky, my heart finally at peace.
‘Mick, Mama can finally let go now, I inwardly said.
And at that moment, my new life truly began.}
