My footsteps echoed down the hallway, each one faster than the last. My pulse thundered in my ears, fueled by the memory of Jessica’s chilling voice.
“Make sure no one ever finds out I caused Joanne and Julie’s accident.”
The words ricocheted through my skull, setting every nerve in my body on fire. I didn’t think—my body reacted first, storming toward the sound of her voice like a woman possessed.
“Jessica!” I shouted, my voice slicing through the silence like a blade.
She whirled around, startled. Her face went pale.
“W-what is it?” she stammered, eyes darting left and right.
I stalked toward her, trembling with fury. “Say that again,” I demanded, my voice low and trembling with suppressed rage. “Did you just confess to being the one behind the crash? Is that what I heard?”
She blinked, panic flashing in her eyes before she tried to hide it behind a forced calm. “You misunderstood me,” she said quickly, retreating a step. “That’s not what I meant.”
“I heard exactly what you said,” I snapped, advancing on her, fists clenched at my sides. “Look me in the eye and deny it.”
Straightening her spine, she narrowed her gaze. “You’re delusional. I had no involvement in any accident.”
Liar.
Before I could stop myself, I grabbed her by the arm and yanked her toward me. She gasped, squirming to break free. “Let me go!”
But I held on, my grip tightening with everything I had been holding in. “You already took my husband,” I spat. “You destroyed the life I built. And now I find out you were behind my daughter’s death, too?”
“You’ve lost your mind!” she shrieked, shoving me with both hands. “You can’t prove anything!”
“I don’t need a paper trail,” I said through clenched teeth. “I heard it from your own mouth.”
Jessica lunged forward, clawing at my arms, her nails digging into my skin. “You’re insane!”
Rage exploded inside me as I pushed her back. She stumbled, crashing to the floor with a sharp yelp.
That’s when Wade walked in.
He stopped dead in his tracks, eyes wide as he took in the sight of Jessica sprawled across the floor, cradling her ribs.
“What the hell is going on here?!”
Jessica whimpered, her voice shaky and strained. “She attacked me,” she sobbed. “She’s accusing me of causing the accident, Wade—she won’t stop blaming me!”
His eyes snapped to me, wild with anger. “Is that true? You did this?”
I gave a hollow scoff, still catching my breath. “You’re really going to stand there and ask that?”
Jessica’s moans filled the room as she shifted on the ground. “She lost it, Wade,” she whimpered. “I don’t even know why she hates me this much. I—I would never hurt anyone. You know that.”
My laughter came out cold and sharp. “Never? You really want to play innocent now?” I pointed at her, my voice shaking. “You admitted it. I heard you. Clear as day.”
Wade turned to me, face twisted in disbelief. “And you expect me to just believe you? Just like that?”
I could hardly stand the pain pulsing through my chest. “You should,” I bit out. “But you won’t. You never believe me. Not when she’s involved.”
Jessica curled into herself, her sobs turning into trembling whispers. “I’m scared, Wade… She shoved me.”
Wade dropped down beside her, eyes frantic as he hovered his hands over her. “Where does it hurt?”
She gave a slight nod, biting back a whimper. “My side… it hurts so much…”
I stood in silence, watching the scene unfold, disgust rising in my throat. How could he care so much now? For her?
He hadn’t held me when I was breaking. He hadn’t shown up to bury our daughter.
But now, he was falling apart over her.
Wade scooped her into his arms with ease. “I’m taking her to the ER.”
“Wait!” I said, stepping forward. “Wade, please. Listen to me for once.”
He didn’t even glance my way.
“She’s dangerous,” Jessica whispered against his chest, like I wasn’t standing just feet away.
His arms tightened protectively around her. His jaw clenched.
Then—he shoved me aside.
I stumbled, crashing against the wall, the impact knocking the wind out of me. For a heartbeat, I stood there motionless, stunned, broken.
He had chosen.
He had always chosen her.
I watched them disappear through the doorway—her weeping softly in his arms, him treating her like something fragile and precious.
And once again, I was left behind.
Alone.
My throat burned, but I swallowed the rising sob. I was done crying.
This was the final blow. The line had been crossed.
I turned, my mind crystal clear for the first time in what felt like forever. My feet moved on their own, guiding me to a familiar door.
Laurie’s room.
The child they had destroyed me for.
She lay there peacefully, utterly unaware of the nightmare her parents had created. I approached the crib slowly, brushing a dark curl from her forehead.
She looked so innocent. So small.
I hesitated for a moment.
But then I saw Julie in my mind—her laughter, her tiny arms wrapping around my neck, the way she screamed in the car right before the world turned black.
They had taken my baby.
Now they would understand what it meant to lose their own.
I reached down and lifted Laurie into my arms. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake. Her tiny fingers wrapped around a fold in my shirt.
Tears welled up again, but I refused to let them fall.
This wasn’t revenge.
It was justice.
Holding her close, I slipped quietly into the night.
By the time they discovered she was missing—
I’d already be gone.
