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Ellen Simpson–once Marco’s timid little follower–had transformed into a poised woman with sharp eyes and delicate makeup. Gone was the weepy, pale girl I remembered. I used to care for her and Marco when they were younger. She clung to him like a shadow, always wary of me.
Seeing her now brought back memories of Diane, and how she always seemed one step ahead. It suddenly made sense–how my secrets leaked, how plans were ruined.§
Ellen’s smile was full of pride. “Sister, it was my idea to get you out of the mental hospital,” she said, crossing her arms. “Just a pair of eyes in exchange for the title of Mrs. Weber. Isn’t that what you’ve begged for the past ten years? Shouldn’t you be thanking me?“>
I stared into her eyes, and instantly, I saw through her. Calmly, I smiled.
“Ellen, you don’t need to be so defensive. Marco and I… we were never meant to be. You’ve been by his side for so many years–if anyone will win his heart, it’s you. Why go to such lengths? You know how he is. If he finds out what you’ve done, do you think he’ll forgive you?“}
Her expression cracked. Her eyes turned venomous, and her hand lashed out, her sharp nails digging into my cheek.
“So you just have to die,” she hissed. “If you’re dead, he’ll never know. It’s your existence that keeps me in his shadow.”>
“I’ve been with him for so many years, yet I can’t touch his heart. Why? Ten years ago, you were just a quiet, obedient thing–everyone loved you. Marco loved you. Even Andrew paid attention to you. I copied everything–your look, your mannerisms–but all I got was Marco’s disgust. You’re nothing more than a canary in a cage. How are you worthy of his love?“}
Her hate boiled over.
I shook my head. “I’m about to marry Andrew. Marco and I… there’s no future. Why tie me up now?“>
“Why?” She let out a bitter laugh, as if I were a fool. “You really think Diane will let you marry into the Weber Family? Sister, wake up. The moment you walk out of here–if you ever do–you’ll be a corpse.”
“But I’m not going to let you die so easily.” Her tone grew sweet and cruel. “There are three days left. Wouldn’t it be more fun to let you suffer before you die?“}
“You’ll die on your wedding day.”
With a snap of her fingers, several strong men emerged from the shadows, their faces twisted with lewd grins.
“You can do whatever you want,” Ellen told them with delight. “As long as she’s still breathing on the third day.”>
She gave me a triumphant glance. “When the world sees you on your wedding day, they’ll see a broken woman–filthy, humiliated.”
The warehouse door slammed shut, plunging me into darkness.
But my lips curled into a seductive smile.
“Untie me,” I purred into the dark. “Let’s have some fun, shall we?“}
“Damn,” one of them said, stunned. “Didn’t expect the bitch to be this eager!“}
“I can’t wait to get a taste of Andrew’s fiancée,” another chuckled, reaching for me.§
The ropes came loose.}
Their hands grabbed at me–tearing at my clothes, pawing at my skin, hurling vulgarities as they tried to overwhelm me.
For a fleeting moment, I was back in the mental hospital. But not as the victim.>
I caught one man’s wrist–and snapped it with a sickening crack. His scream echoed through the warehouse as he crumpled, eyes wide with disbelief.}
“You bitch-!”
Another lunged for my throat. I twisted his arm backward until it dangled uselessly.
The leader drew a knife and lunged. I sidestepped, caught his wrist, and slammed my foot between his legs. He collapsed, screaming.
“She’s faking it! Kill her!”
The others rushed at me.
And I smiled wider.
The madness in me–nurtured through five years of agony–was unleashed.”
I picked up the fallen knife and slashed through the air, slicing off a man’s ear. Blood sprayed across my face.}
Three hours later, the warehouse was silent.
Bodies sprawled across the concrete floor in a sea of blood.”
The door creaked open.
Ellen stepped in, smoke trailing from her cigarette. “What the hell happened?” she snapped. “Did you kill her? I told you to keep her alive! If she’s dead, you won’t see another dime-”
She stopped mid–sentence.}
From the shadows, a blood–soaked dagger pressed against her throat.
I emerged, face splattered with crimson, eyes bright with unhinged calm.}
“Sister…” she stammered.§
Behind me, corpses bled across the floor.”
She wasn’t as brave as she pretended to be. Her legs gave out beneath her.
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Behind me, corpses bled across the floor.
She wasn’t as brave as she pretended to be. Her legs gave out beneath her.”
“You planned everything, didn’t you?” I said coldly. “But did you calculate the hell I endured in that hospital? Do you really think I came out of that place human?“>
Tears welled in her eyes. She trembled. “Please… give me a way out.”
The tip of the knife traced the soft skin of her neck.}
“Marco is coming soon,” she whimpered. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll see you like this?“}
A voice rang from outside.
“Gen! Are you in there?“}
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