“It’s good to see you here,” Rose said, her lips curling into a slow, deliberate smile as she approached Alicia, her movements unhurried and calculated.
Alicia stood up, her muscles tense, eyes locked on Rose. The world blurred into nothingness—only Rose existed. That wicked smile unfurled across her face like a victor savoring her triumph.
For years….
Tears welled and spilled down Alicia’s cheeks.
She had trusted this woman, loved her like a mother.
She could still feel Rose’s warm embrace, hear the echo of her laughter, see the gentle curve of her smile. And yet, she had been blind to the deceit lurking behind those gestures.
She recalled Rose’s mournful gaze at the hospital, the feigned sympathy as she whispered warnings against trusting anyone. Lies. All of it.
Alicia bit her lip until she tasted blood, her trembling hands gripping her purse as if anchoring herself to reality.
It was all a lie. She had been deceived.
“How… how did you find me?” Her voice wavered.
Rose scoffed. “There was a CCTV camera in your room.” She exhaled as if burdened by regret. “I’m sorry about everything you’ve learned. But it’s all true.”
Alicia’s grip on her purse tightened until the leather crumpled beneath her fingers. Heat surged through her, her blood pounding in her ears.
“I must have broken your heart,” Rose murmured, stepping closer. She reached out and seized a handful of Alicia’s hair. “And I’m sorry.” Her laughter rang out, sharp and cruel.
Alicia gasped, the sting at her scalp forcing her forward. She clutched at Rose’s wrist, but she was too weak to fight back. No scream escaped her lips. Only silent tears, flowing like a shattered dam.
Agony tore through her chest. The sky loomed dark as bitter tears slipped into her mouth—sorrow had a taste.
Maybe she deserved it.
Kate’s voice echoed in her mind, the memory of their meeting in the woods crashing back.
“You’re taking the wrong path, Alicia,” Kate had pleaded, her outstretched hands trembling. “Please, listen to me.”
Alicia squeezed her eyes shut. The weight of regret crushed her chest.
Rose shoved her roughly, sending her stumbling into the arms of one of her men.
“Take her away,” Rose commanded, her voice sharp and unwavering.
As the man gripped Alicia’s arms, a sudden voice rang through the graveyard.
“Don’t touch her!”
The world seemed to hold its breath. A heavy silence fell, thick and suffocating.
Rose turned slowly, her smirk widening as she laid eyes on Jeff. He stood at the graveyard gate, his body vibrating with rage, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His eyes, dark and seething, bore into her.
“I told you to let her go,” he repeated, his voice cold enough to slice through bone.
Alicia’s breath hitched. She had never seen Jeff this angry. It was as if a demon had taken the form of her friend.
Rose chuckled, and her men joined her in laughter, a sinister symphony of mockery. The sound crawled under Alicia’s skin, twisting her stomach into knots.
Jeff’s breathing turned ragged. The laughter burned into his mind, peeling away the past he tried to bury.
“Don’t touch me! Leave our house!”
A child’s desperate plea.
Men laughing.
A gunshot.
Rebecca’s scream.
The pool of blood beneath her body.
Jeff’s body tensed, his veins pulsing with a fire that threatened to consume him.
“Let. Her. Go!” His roar shattered their laughter, replacing it with an unbearable tension.
Rose tilted her head, her expression almost amused. “Of course, Jeff,” she said sweetly. “Come get her.”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Her men raised their guns.
Alicia’s heart pounded against her ribs as she turned to Jeff. Pain flooded her chest, suffocating her. He was losing himself to fury, and she could see it—the overwhelming rage drowning his reason.
Don’t do this! She shook her head, tears streaking her face. She tried to rush to him, but the man holding her yanked her back, his grip bruising her skin.
Something inside Jeff snapped.
He lunged forward.
“Shoot!” Rose ordered.
Three gunshots rang out.
Alicia’s world shattered.
Jeff gasped, staggering back as crimson bloomed across his shirt. He collapsed to his knees, hands pressing into the dirt as he struggled to rise. His teeth gritted against the pain, but his strength failed him.
“No!” Alicia screamed, thrashing against the iron grip holding her. “Jeff!”
He looked up, his vision blurring. Alicia’s face swam before him, her desperate struggle sending fresh tears to his eyes. He forced a smile, his lips trembling.
I’m sorry, Alicia.
Tears trickled down his face.
I failed you. Again.
He tried to stand. Blood gushed from his wounds, soaking his jeans, leaving a trail of crimson on the ground.
“Shoot!” Rose commanded again.
Two more shots.
Jeff collapsed.
“Jeff!” Alicia shrieked, breaking free and stumbling toward him. She dropped to her knees, pulling him into her arms. “Jeff, Jeff, Jeff!” She slapped his cheeks, her voice breaking into sobs. “No, no, no!”
Jeff’s trembling fingers brushed her cheek. His lips curled into a bittersweet smile.
Alicia grabbed his hand, pressing it to her face. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault,” she cried, pressing down on his wounds. Warm blood seeped through her fingers, the metallic scent filling her lungs.
The thought of losing him gutted her.
She had told herself she hated him, that she wanted him gone. But it was all a lie. She had only wanted him to ask for forgiveness, to hold her, to confess his love once more. Instead, she had run. And now…
Jeff’s eyes locked onto hers, his expression soft with sorrow.
“You can’t leave me,” she whispered, panic clawing at her chest. It felt like the world was crumbling around her, taking her with it.
“Jeff, please… please… don’t leave me.”
He exhaled weakly. “I’m sorry…”
Suddenly, a hand wrenched Alicia away. She shrieked as Rose yanked her by the hair, forcing her to meet her gaze.
“Why not go with him?” Rose sneered. “You look like you’ll miss him.”
Alicia’s grip tightened on Jeff as if afraid he’d disappear if she let go.
“You… you deceive me,” Alicia stuttered. “You are evil.”
Rose let out a dry, soulless laugh, as if she had no conscience.
“Do you want to hear a shocking story?” She paused, locking eyes with Alicia. “Let me tell you just how evil I am—” Her voice trailed off, and her smile darkened. “I buried your real friend, Jeff, alive.”
Alicia let out a shaky cry, unable to bear the horrifying image in her mind.
“You are not human,” the words slipped from her lips before she could stop them.
Rose nodded in agreement. “I realized I had no feelings the night I drugged your father. My Olive drove him home and pushed him to you. I planned everything. Your father was on the edge, unable to control himself. He fell into my trap and fucked you.”
Like a bomb detonating, the harsh truth shattered Alicia. She froze, her heart breaking like a mirror struck with force. Tears clouded her vision, filled with pain, regret, and hatred—toward her father and herself.
Rose tsked, chuckling as if it were all some sick joke.
“Everything…” she whispered, her voice laced with cruel amusement.
Alicia’s nerves tightened, twisting beyond mere anger—bloodlust ignited within her.
“Everything,” Rose repeated, softer this time, letting the words seep into Alicia’s soul. “Was my handiwork.”
Alicia suddenly screamed, lunging at Rose and flipping her to the ground. Her hands wrapped around Rose’s throat, tightening with sheer rage. Before she could squeeze the life out of her, two men stormed in, yanking Alicia’s arms behind her.
“No!” Alicia roared, thrashing as they restrained her. “Let me go!” Tears streamed down her face as Rose calmly stood, dusting the leaves off her dress.
She turned, her lips curving into a sly smile. Alicia spat at her, but Rose’s grin only widened, feeding off her suffering.
Sauntering closer, Rose retrieved a pistol from one of her men.
“Now that you know the truth and are drowning in agony, wouldn’t you rather I end your pain?” She cocked her head, feigning sympathy.
“Go to hell!” Alicia growled, her voice raw with hatred.
Rose chuckled. “I’d rather end all your pain, darling.” She pressed the pistol against Alicia’s forehead and pulled the trigger.
A gunshot rang out—but it wasn’t from Rose’s gun.
Alicia flinched as Rose screamed in pain, the pistol clattering to the ground. A police siren wailed in the distance.
Rose’s gaze snapped toward the source of the shot. Everything seemed to slow as Alena emerged from the shadows, a triumphant smirk on her face, police cars trailing behind her.
“Take a good look at the dark sky, Rose,” Alena said coldly. “It’ll be your last night outside. Your reign is over.”
A police officer seized Rose, snapping handcuffs onto her wrists.
“And don’t be surprised I’m still alive,” Alena added, stepping closer. “Because Steven works for me.”
Rose’s face twisted with rage. “How dare you? What do you think you’re doing?” she screamed, struggling against the cuffs.
“Taking you to jail,” Alena replied, her tone unwavering.
As Rose was dragged away, the men restraining Alicia finally released her. She collapsed to her knees, trembling, her face buried in her palms.
Alena exhaled, watching Alicia break down. Her own eyes welled with bittersweet tears. She walked over, crouched beside her, and pulled her into an embrace.
“It’s over now, Alicia. It’s all over,” Alena whispered, stroking her hair gently.
As she replayed the scene of Rose aiming the gun at Alicia, a cold shudder ran through Alena. She couldn’t imagine losing her.
Alicia clung to Alena like a child, her body shaking as she sobbed into her sister’s chest. The warmth of Alena’s embrace spread through her, filling her with a strange mix of relief and brokenness.
“I’m sorry, Alicia,” Alena whispered, her voice cracking. “It’s my fault… I’m sorry for being a bad sister, for hating you… for everything…”
“No, it’s not your fault,” Alicia murmured, pulling back slightly. She cupped Alena’s face, their tear-filled eyes locking. More tears welled up, as if they shared the same pain.
“It’s not your fault, Alena.”
Alena collapsed into her arms again, and together, they wept—their cries filling the empty night.
After a few moments, Alicia’s mind jolted back to Jeff. Panic surged through her as she scrambled to her feet, scanning the area.
“Where is he?” she gasped. “Jeff?” She ran to the spot where he had been shot. “He was here.”
Alena smiled bitterly. “Jason called emergency services. He’s been taken for treatment. He will be fine.”
Alicia exhaled shakily, nodding as she tried to hold onto that hope.