I stepped into the hallway, my pulse pounding. Karylle’s words echoed in my head.
“Make sure no one finds out that I was the one who caused the accident of Helena and Hayley.”
My vision blurred with rage. My body moved before I could think. I stormed toward her, my voice sharp and cutting. “What did you just say?”
Karylle turned, her face paling. “W-what?”
“You caused the accident?” My voice shook, not with fear, but with fury. “You killed Hayley.. for what? For your daughter? Is that it?”
Panic flickered in her eyes before she masked it. “You misunderstood,” she said quickly, stepping back. “I never—”
“I heard you.” I took another step forward, my fists clenched. “Say it again. Look me in the eyes and lie to me.”
She squared her shoulders, regaining her composure. “You’re crazy. I had nothing to do with it.”
Liar.
The next moment, I grabbed her by the wrist, yanking her toward me. She gasped, trying to pull away. “Let go of me!”
But I didn’t. My anger, my grief, my pain—it all came crashing down. “You stole my husband. You stole my life. And now, I find out you stole my daughter, too?”
She struggled, shoving me back. “You have no proof!”
“I don’t need proof.” I pushed her, and she stumbled back. “I know what I heard.”
Karylle lunged at me, nails clawing at my arm. “You’re insane!”
I fought back, shoving her harder. She lost her balance, crashing onto the floor with a sharp cry.
That was the moment Will walked in.
His eyes widened as he saw Karylle sprawled on the ground, clutching her side. “What the hell is going on?!”
Karylle whimpered, her hands trembling. “She attacked me! She’s blaming me for the accident, Will. She—” she choked on a sob, “—she won’t let go of her hatred.”
Will’s gaze snapped to me, dark and furious. “You did this?”
I scoffed, breathing heavily. “You’re seriously asking me that?”
Karylle whimpered again, shifting on the floor as she clutched her stomach. “She—she just snapped, Will. I don’t know why she’s blaming me!” Her voice broke as she let out a shaky sob. “I would never—”
I let out a cold, bitter laugh. “You would never?” I stepped forward, pointing at her. “I heard you, Karylle! You admitted it yourself!”
Will turned to me, his expression hardening. “You expect me to believe that?”
I clenched my fists, my body trembling. “You should. But you won’t, will you? Because it’s her. Because it’s always her.”
Karylle sobbed louder, curling into herself. “I’m scared, Will,” she whispered. “She pushed me…”
Will’s face twisted with panic. He dropped to his knees beside her, his hands hovering over her as though afraid to touch her. “Are you hurt?”
She sniffled, nodding weakly. “It hurts…”
I watched the scene unfold, my breath shallow. It was sickening—watching him care, watching him worry when he had done nothing for Hayley.
I had been bleeding, too. I had lost everything.
And he hadn’t even looked at me.
Will lifted Karylle into his arms. “We’re going to the hospital.”
I took a step forward. “Will, you need to listen to me.”
But he wasn’t listening. He didn’t even turn around.
“She’s dangerous,” Karylle murmured against his chest.
His grip on her tightened, his jaw clenching.
And then—he shoved me aside.
I stumbled, barely catching myself against the wall. For a moment, I just stood there, frozen, my heart cracking into a million jagged pieces.
He had chosen. He had always chosen. I watched them disappear through the door, Karylle still crying into his chest, his arms still holding her like she was the only thing that mattered.
And just like that, I was alone.
Again.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. I had cried enough.
That was the last straw.
I turned, my mind clear for the first time in weeks. My feet carried me toward the one room.
Carmela. Will and Karylle’s daughter.
My hands trembled as I reached out, brushing a strand of dark hair from her forehead. She looked so peaceful, so unaware of the sins of her parents.
A part of me hesitated. But then I remembered.
Hayley’s laughter. Her tiny hands gripping mine. Her screams—before everything went black.
They had taken my daughter from me. Now, they would know what it felt like to lose theirs.
I lifted Carmela into my arms. She stirred but didn’t wake, her small fingers curling against my shirt.
Tears burned my eyes, but I blinked them away.
This wasn’t just revenge. This was justice.
Holding her close, I stepped into the night.
By the time they realized she was gone—I would be, too.
