The memory of Portia’s smug expression set Dorothy’s blood boiling. Her hand shook as she pulled out her phone and showed the doctor a photo. The doctor’s face faltered, his words stumbling in his throat as he hesitated to answer.
"She was the one who went to see him, wasn’t she?"
Dorothy’s tears spilled, flooding her face as she screamed out in agony. Her body was trembling on the edge of collapse, each sob a sharp reminder of her torment.
At last, the doctor, worn down by her relentless questioning, nodded, confirming that Portia had visited the hospital the night before. During her visit, Ivan’s condition had taken a turn for the worse.
Portia.
Dorothy’s vision turned red with fury, her hands trembling so violently that blood began to drip from her clenched fists, falling like a steady stream to the floor below.
Without a second thought, she rushed out of the hospital, her next destination clear. She bought a sharp, bone-cutting knife before heading straight back to Kyrie’s villa.
When she burst into the living room, her ears were pierced by the sound of Portia’s laughter mingling with Kyrie’s, the noise sinking into her heart like a thousand daggers.
"Portia!"
Her shout reverberated through the room as she gripped the knife, her hands shaking with fury. Without hesitation, she lunged at Portia.
"Are you out of your mind, Dorothy?" Portia screamed, narrowly dodging her.
At that moment, Kyrie grabbed the knife, his strong grip halting Dorothy’s charge. The blade bit deep into his wrist, a grimace of pain twisting his face. Fury flared in his eyes as he kicked Dorothy away, sending her crashing to the ground.
Pain exploded in Dorothy’s abdomen, making it impossible for her to rise. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth as she glared at them, her voice hoarse from the agony.
"Portia! Why did you harm my brother?"
Portia hid behind Kyrie, her voice dripping with false innocence. "What are you talking about? I never hurt your brother."
"His heart failed when you visited him at the hospital!" Dorothy’s eyes burned with anger. "You provoked him. You’re a murderer!"
Before she could finish, Kyrie slapped her hard, the sting of the blow sending shockwaves through her already battered body.
Kyrie looked down at Dorothy, his expression dripping with contempt.
"What nonsense are you babbling? A sick man died, big deal."
It felt like a lightning bolt struck Dorothy, her entire body trembling as her voice faltered. "Kyrie, how can you say that? You were once Ivan’s closest friend! You…"
Kyrie cut her off with a cold, twisted smile. "Who cares about being his friend? Now that he’s dead, it's just as well."
Dorothy’s world spun. Her mind went blank and her heart felt like it was being torn to shreds. The pain crushed her chest, making it hard to breathe.
"Oh, Kyrie, don’t be so harsh. Dorothy is just heartbroken and acting out," Portia purred, her tone oozing with false sympathy. She approached Dorothy, her hand reaching down to help her up, but her words were sharp as a knife. "Yes, I was the one who killed him. But it’s all your fault, really, you slapped me the other day, remember? So technically, you killed him."
The final thread of Dorothy’s sanity snapped and she crumpled, her mind breaking apart in a wave of overwhelming grief.
Her hands shook uncontrollably as she slowly stood, her legs trembling beneath her. She didn’t utter a single word as she cast one final glance at Kyrie before rushing out of the villa, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Where are you going?!"
Kyrie’s voice was laced with urgency as an uneasy premonition crept into his gut. Without a second thought, he followed her, reaching out to grab her arm.
But Dorothy, summoning every last ounce of strength, broke free, her feet pounding the ground faster and faster.
They reached the sea and Dorothy stood perched on the high rocks, her eyes bloodshot, streaks of tears marking her face like a map of her pain. She turned to face Kyrie, her voice cracking with raw emotion. "Kyrie, you’re so heartless! You promised me forever, but now you’re the one tearing me apart!"
"Do you even know? I wanted to end it all during this time, but I kept going for Ivan. And now… now he’s gone to.”
"Portia is a liar! She's not as innocent as you think! Why are you doing this to me for her?!”
Her voice cracked with desperation, but Kyrie only frowned. "So what? Are you planning to throw yourself into the sea to make a scene or threaten me?"
Behind him, Portia snaked her arm around Kyrie’s, her laughter dripping with mockery. "Sister Dorothy, stop it. This trick won't work on Kyrie. You’re just embarrassing yourself now!"
As Dorothy stood there, the crowd began to form, their whispers and glances prickling her skin.
Kyrie’s brow furrowed, his patience thinning. "Alright, enough. Come down now."
But Dorothy, numb to everything, no longer cared to defend herself. She simply stared at Kyrie and Portia with a cold, unblinking gaze. "I’ll never forgive you both."
With that, she turned, the weight of the world pressing on her chest and leaped into the dark sea.
