Amber’s Pov
I froze when I saw Chloe by Jane’s bed, a syringe in her hand.
“What are you doing?” I demanded.
Chloe let out a long breath, like relief. “Oh, thank God. I thought it was someone else. It’s just you, Amber.”
“Back away,” I said. “Leave my sister alone.”
She smiled coldly. “I’ve killed your son and made Jason kill your mother and brother. The only one left is this pesky brat who’s refused to die. Once she's dead then I’ll kill you and have Jason all to myself.”
My skin crawled. “Don’t you dare.”
Chloe’s laugh was sharp. “Do you know what I did with your mother’s corneas? I fed them to vultures.”
Something snapped. I slapped her so hard it echoed. She doubled over, then she grabbed her cheek and screamed.
Jason burst in, face white with fury. He seized Chloe and drew her close. “What is your problem, Amber? Why are you bullying Chloe after we made peace?”
“She came to kill Jane!” I spat.
Chloe threw herself on Jason like a wounded animal. Big, dramatic tears. “Please, Jason,” she wailed. “I was only trying to help her sister. I can inject myself with this injection to prove it’s not lethal.
I glared at Chloe, daring her, “Go ahead!”
Chloe whimpered as she held the injection but before she could inject herself Jason ripped the syringe from Chloe’s hand and smashed it under his shoe.
“Chloe is a doctor, she was only trying to help Jane and you aren't even showing any remorse. You haven’t learned,” he growled at me, “I’ll teach you a lesson.”
He ordered his men to grab me as they hauled me outside. My coat dragged, my boots skidding on the stone.
They pulled aside a sheet in the yard. My mother lay there, white and still under a plain cover. My throat closed, my legs turned to jelly at the sight.
“This is your punishment,” Jason said, and pushed a torch to the sheet.
The flames rose fast. Heat hit my face. The smell was raw and terrible. I screamed and lunged forward but the men tightened their hold on me.
“Jason stop this!” I begged.
“Your mother will be buried with no honor, a pitiful way to send her into the other world,” he sneered.
I tore away, ripping free, and dove for the sheet. The flames bit into my hands and sleeves. Pain flared like a hot brand. My skin broke. I felt the hot sting, then the shock.
“Amber, no!” Jason shouted, as he ran toward me.
I gripped at the burning sheet, tearing it off. My fingers left smoking cloth. Everything blurred and I blacked out.
—
I woke up in a hospital room. White lights flickered and I felt bandages on my body.
My body ached all over. My lower body was wrapped tight. My hands were stiff and raw. I tried to move and a wave of pain hit me.
Jason sat in a chair, dishevelled, like he had slept there. When he saw me open my eyes, his eyes widened in concern.
“You’re awake,” he said, relief in his voice. “I haven’t left your side. Two days you were unconscious. What were you thinking jumping into a fire?”
“Get out,” I whispered.
He stared, stunned, then asked in an unsure voice, “What?”
“I said GET. OUT!” I yelled.
He looked like he wanted to say something but then changed his mind as he rose slowly and left the room.
I fumbled for my phone to see a series of missed calls and messages from Roy. I dialed his number immediately.
“Roy?” I said when he answered. My voice trembled. “I missed the flight. I need help. I’m hurt. Jane, she’s still in a coma. Come pick us up.”
“I just landed in New York. I was worried sick. Hold on. I’m coming.”
I hung up just as a doctor came in. “Good. Prepare to discharge me and my sister right now.”
She looked at my charts and shook her head. “You have second-degree burns on your back, thigh, leg, and hand. Your sister suffered a brain injury. She needs surgery, and she’s not stable for travel.”
“I’m leaving,” I said, my voice flat. “We are leaving now.”
“I strongly advise against it,” she said. “But if you insist, we will stabilize her as best we can. She will need a doctor on board. You must sign a release.”
I nodded and signed the release form then an ambulance conveyed me and Jane to meet Roy at the hanger. Jane was loaded on a stretcher and I was in a wheelchair.
Roy’s private jet gleamed under the lights when we arrived. His mouth hung open with shock as he stared at us.
“What have they done to you?” he asked.
The staff helped strap Jane down. A team of doctors got on board. He helped me into my seat and sat close.
Roy was shaking with rage, “I ought to go smash that asshole’s face in!”
I smiled, “Don’t worry, they will pay. Let’s proceed according to plan. Just give me the live feed of the house.”
He handed me an iPad and a pair of earphones. “I patched the camera to the house. There's audio and everything.”
Jason was pacing in his living room when a courier knocked. He collected the package and signed as he ripped open the envelope.
He frowned, when he saw it was a divorce certificate he had signed.
“Divorce? I didn't sign these,” he muttered.
As he flipped the pages a note fell out. He read the note aloud, disbelief turning to laughter. “Here are the shares you signed for your son, you greedy bastard. Happy divorce day, asshole!”
He laughed, thinking it was a prank. “Amber loves me,” he said. “This must be a joke. Even if she divorces me, she loses everything.”
Chloe burst into the room, sobbing. “She ruined us, Amber has ruined everything. Check the TV!”
Jason turned to the TV, irritation still creasing his face. But then his eyes caught the headline blazing across the screen in bold letters:
“Jason Morales and Resident Surgeon Chloe Morales Exposed in Web of Lies, Murder, and Corruption.”
The reporter’s voice continued, “Leaked evidence obtained this morning reveals shocking truths that Jason Morales and Dr. Chloe Hudson were engaged in an illicit affair and accomplice to the murder of his ex-wife’s son, her brother, and her mother…”
One by one, videos, pictures, and documents began to roll. Jason’s face drained of color. His breath quickened. He stumbled back, gripping the couch like it was the only thing keeping him upright.
“Together Jason Morales and Dr. Chloe Hudson have orchestrated not only an illicit affair but three deaths of innocent family members. This is first degree murder and grounds for permanent license revocation. The FBI will have no choice but to step in for further investigation…”
Jason turned off the TV immediately while Chloe collapsed to her knees sobbing.
“Amber, what have you done?” he whispered as blood drained from his face.
I turned the iPad off and smiled at Roy who squeezed my hand.
“Now,” I grinned, “We proceed to phase two.”
