“Rayan was kind to me!” I cry, my voice cracking. “He didn’t deserve this. You’re a monster!”
His mouth twists into a cruel grin. He leans in close, and I can smell the alcohol on his breath. Maybe that’s why he’s spilling all of this tonight—because he’s drunk enough to think it doesn’t matter.
“You have no idea,” he sneers. “Did you know Chandra told me to stay away from you? Your mom knew I wantedyou, not her. And when she found out what I had planned, she came to me—told me she didn’t approve.”
He pauses, watching my reaction like he’s enjoying it.
“It wasn’t hard to find her alone in her lab that night. I brought her a hot drink, just like always. Only this time, I slipped in a few drops of toxin. By the time poor Fanyoru found her the next morning, it was too late. What a tragedy, right? Cardiac arrest, so young! And that idiot doctor—blamed it on stress and overwork. Ironic, isn’t it?”
He’s smiling now. That cruel, twisted smile. And I’m frozen, horrified.
I can’t believe I didn’t see it before—how far he’d go. He killed my mother. And that’s how he got caught. But why is he telling me all this now?
“I can see those wheels turning in that pretty little head of yours,” he sneers. “You’re probably wondering what to do with everything I just told you. The answer? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
He steps closer, his voice sharp now. “I’m done with you. Our little arrangement? It’s over. Come on—we’re going to see your sister.”
Panic surges through me. Why does he want to see her now, in the middle of the night? She’s asleep. What is he planning? Is he going to throw us out with nothing—not even time to grab a few things?
When he tries to drag me out of the apartment, I dig in my heels, resisting with everything I’ve got. My heart’s pounding. I’m terrified. And I feel completely powerless.
He hits me—once, sharp and fast across the cheekbone. Then again, harder, right across my face.
Pain explodes through my head. I feel my lip split, the inside of my cheek tearing. Blood starts to trickle down my chin, soaking into the front of my nightgown. My head throbs, and I can taste the metallic tang of blood in my mouth.
I’m stunned. Shaken. And deep down, I know this is just the beginning. His violence is escalating, and I’m trapped in it.
I can’t believe this is happening. But one thing is suddenly, painfully clear: Prianka and I are no longer safe here.
Henri finally drags me down to the first floor.
“Go wake up your sister and bring her here!” he barks.
Sobbing, I rush into Prianka’s room and shake her awake.
“Ileana? What’s going on? Why are you crying? And—what happened to your face? Is that blood?”
I yank open her dresser drawer, grab a piece of underwear, and hand it to her while I quickly slip on another.
“Get dressed. Now. Henri’s drunk and completely out of control. I think he’s going to throw us out.”
I slide on a pair of sandals to protect my feet and move toward Prianka’s wheelchair. She looks terrified.
Then Henri storms in behind me.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he growls.
“But… you said… I thought you were kicking us out!”
“Oh, I am,” he says, voice cold. “But not just from my house. That would be too easy. Let me tell you how this is going to go. My young, unstable girlfriend got jealous when she found her lover sneaking into her sister’s room in the middle of the night. She lost it—and shot them both.”
“No!” I cry, shaking. “That’s not true. You can’t do that. No one will believe it!”
“Oh, they’ll believe it,” he says with a twisted smile. “And look who just showed up—Duncan, the lover himself! In Prianka’s room, no less!”
I turn, and there he is—Duncan—standing in the doorway, looking confused and worried.
What happens next is a blur.
