— I don’t want to frustrate you with this. — My uncle’s voice was remorseful, as if he himself regretted having to bring up this topic again.


    But I immediately replied:


    — I know.


    I didn’t want to talk about it. It was better not to think about it, not to dwell on it. So I quickly changed the subject.


    — By the way, who was the person here earlier?


    The man sighed indulgently.


    — Just a client.


    I raised an eyebrow.


    — He must be quite the big shot. He was guarded better than the prime minister.


    — That happens around here. — A flicker of pride crossed his face before he quickly stood up. — Be careful not to dance your pretty little head off. You’re going to need it.


    Before leaving, he pressed a quick kiss to my forehead.


    I just sat there at the table, my fork still in hand, but I no longer touched my food. The past few minutes had left a strange unease in me. That fleeting dream, the visitor… And that peculiar feeling when I stood by the window.


    It’s probably just exhaustion. I hadn’t been sleeping much lately.


    But I had no time to dwell on it. It was time to get ready for the evening party.


    The emerald-studded heels of my shoes clicked hastily against the marble floor as I swept through the massive double doors. The guys were already waiting.


    Dave pulled me into a wide embrace, pressing a big kiss onto my lips. I couldn’t help but smile.


    In that moment, it felt like I held all the happiness in the world.


    But the car that carried my happiness away would soon bring me my pain as well.


    The saying is true: trouble never comes alone…


    And then it happened.


    My head throbbed. The air sliced through my lungs like a blade.


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    And the snowflakes…


    They fell in thick, heavy clusters, just like back then. Back when I first saw them.


    The stench of gasoline hit my nose instantly, mixing with the bitter aroma of burnt plastic. The freezing asphalt pressed coldly against my skin as I dug my nails into it, trying to push myself up. I failed. The rough surface tore at the skin of my fingers with effortless ease, and with a sharp hiss of pain, I collapsed back down.


    The ringing in my head grew louder, until finally, everything faded away.


    When I opened my eyes, the blinding glow of hospital lights greeted me.


    My lungs wheezed for air, my fingers trembled. Desperately, I tried to move, but two nurses were at my side in an instant.


    — Please, lie back down! — one of them said gently, yet firmly.


    — You can’t get up yet, please, listen to us! — added the other as she gently held me back.


    But I didn’t listen.


    — Let me go! — I shouted, my voice echoing sharply between them.


    I had never been the arrogant, spoiled type, but now… now I used my power.


    I tore off every piece of equipment they had attached to me and rushed to the door. I knew a small army of bodyguards would be waiting outside, and I was right.


    — Where are they? — I snapped the question at them immediately.


    They just stood there in silence. No answer.


    My stomach clenched, my heart pounded wildly.


    I didn’t wait.


    I started moving.


    I ran down the corridor, throwing open every door, only to be met with the same void of nothing.


    Then, I saw her.


    Mary…


    She was lying on a stretcher in a distant hallway, an unfamiliar doctor pushing her into a room.


    — Stop! — I screamed, my voice cutting through the air in desperation. — Wait! What are you doing with her?!


    But the man didn’t turn around.


    My legs wobbled, and in my frantic attempt to move faster, I tripped and crashed to the floor.


    As my bodyguards reached me, they helped me up in one swift motion, but I didn’t care.


    — Bring the car. Now!


    The hospital staff swarmed around me, doctors and nurses trying to calm me down, but I ignored them.


    I turned to one of them.


    — I’ll pay you if you tell me where they took them.


    The nurse looked at me, flustered, then quietly, regretfully, she whispered:


    — I’m sorry… they are no longer with us.


    My breath caught.


    My hands clenched into fists, the world spinning dizzyingly around me.


    No. That’s not possible.


    Tears burned down my cheeks as I stormed towards the morgue.


    I tore through everything, demanding to see them.


    — Where are they? Tell me where they are!


    But all I got was headshakes and uneasy glances.


    — Please, go back to your room. You shouldn’t be here.


    — Don’t look for them here.


    — Please… you’re not well.


    But I didn’t believe them.


    I was the kind of person who only believed what I saw.


    And now, I wanted to see them.


    But they wouldn’t show me.


    They wouldn’t tell me where they were.


    I was going insane… It had all happened so fast.


    But I had learned how to control my emotions.


    How to prioritize cold, calculated reason, even in a horrific situation like this.


    A family as corrupt as mine had taught its members well how to handle such twisted circumstances.


    I closed my eyes.


    Took a deep breath, letting the chaos drift away for just a moment.


    Then, I opened my eyes and looked firmly at one of my bodyguards.


    — Didn’t I tell you to bring the car?


    — Yes, ma’am! — he responded immediately, moving without hesitation.


    — I’m not done with you. — My gaze swept over the staff watching me.


    The white hospital walls felt suffocatingly tight, as if they, too, wanted to keep me trapped.


    The only sound breaking the silence was the sharp clap of my bare feet against the floor as I stormed out of the building.