241 Her Last Plea

Cynthia’s POVThe silence after Sabrina’s words is suffocating—like the air has been ripped out of the room.My heart hammers in my chest, cold dread seeping through every vein.My knees weaken, and the floor seems to tilt beneath me.How is this happening?How can she turn on me like this?“Sabrina…” I try to steady my voice, but it comes out trembling. “What… what are you saying?”“She’s the one who committed those crimes,” she says coldly. “She threatened me into taking the fall. She’s the one who tried to have Isabel killed. And she tried to murder my husband too—just so he wouldn’t tell the truth after finding out what she’d done!”Alexander’s voice tears through the tension.“What?!”“She did it all,” Sabrina says. “Every last crime. I was forced into confessing.”No…“No,” I gasp, head shaking, heart pounding against my ribs. “That’s a lie. Don’t believe her, she’s trying to frame me!”Sabrina steps closer, eyes burning.“Your lies are over, Cynthia. You can’t escape anymore.”

Last Updated : 2025-05-27

242 The Escape

Collins’ POVI grip the steering wheel tighter than I realize, my knuckles white, the tension running up my arms. Through the window, I watch the tall building in front of me, its sleek glass reflecting the cloudy sky. A breath escapes me—long, heavy. What am I doing here?The question loops in my mind as my gaze sweeps over the structure again. Why do I find myself rushing to her place the moment I hear about Cynthia’s arrest? I should be at the hospital with Alexander. He needs me. But no, here I am… parked outside Aria’s apartment complex, heart pounding like I’ve been in a sprint. Why?Maybe it’s because I wanted to be the first to tell her. Or maybe it’s because I already knew what this news could mean for her. I didn’t want her hearing it from someone careless. Or worse—someone cruel. I wanted to see her face, gauge her reaction, maybe shield her from it.But what if… I lean back into the leather seat, closing my eyes briefly, tension sitting heavy in my chest. She’s not picking

Last Updated : 2025-05-28

243 No place to hide

Isabel’s POVI blink, staring at Christine as if I didn’t hear her right. “Cynthia’s escape from the police?” My voice is a whisper at first, but then it catches in my throat. “But how? How could she have done that? She was arrested alongside James!”My legs nearly give way. I reach for the armrest behind me and slowly sink into the chair, my heart pounding against my ribcage like it’s trying to break free.Christine’s eyes shift, nervous, as she nods grimly. “The police vehicle was attacked in transit. Armed men ambushed them. It means there’s someone else working with her. Someone powerful enough to raid a police convoy.”I press a hand to my chest as panic settles in. Christine adds, “But don’t worry, ma’am. The news is everywhere now. The search for Cynthia Castillo is active. She can’t hide forever.”I shake my head, the weight of this crashing over me like a violent tide. “No. You don’t know Cynthia like I do,” I mutter, my voice rough, low. “She wouldn’t have pulled something li

Last Updated : 2025-05-29

244 The weight of goodbye

Alexander’s POVI sit slumped in the stiff hospital chair, the cold metal biting through the fabric of my shirt, but I barely feel it. My elbows rest on my knees, shoulders hunched, as I stare blankly at the floor tiles, the doctor’s words echoing in my head like a never-ending loop.“The surgery was successful, but her condition remains critical. We’ve stabilized her for now, but she’s in a fragile state. We’ll keep her under intensive care and monitor her vitals closely. The next 24 hours are crucial. Let’s hope for the best.”Hope. That damn word. So light on the tongue, yet so heavy on the heart.In my hands, I grip the small stuffed bunny Sophia always carried—the one she had clutched tightly when she slipped and fell down those stairs. The fur is matted in some places, worn from all the times we played with it. I remember the day I bought it for her, the way her eyes had lit up, her smile full of wonder and joy. We spent that whole afternoon pretending it could talk, taking turn

Last Updated : 2025-05-29

245 Dragged into silence

Cynthia’s POVI scream as the men drag me down the corridor. “Leave me! Who the hell are you people, huh?” My voice is raw, full of panic and fury. “Do you know who I am? I said leave me!”My legs thrash, but they don’t stop. The grip around my arms tightens, and with one swift move, I’m shoved—no, tossed—into a room. James stumbles in beside me, hitting the ground with a grunt before the heavy door slams shut. The sound of the lock clicks loud and final.“No! No, no, no!” I rush at the door, fists slamming against the metal. “What the heck is this?! How dare you try to kidnap me?! Who sent you? Who’s your boss?!”Nothing. No voice. No footsteps. Just silence on the other side. That’s when it hits me—and I scoff, furious.“This is you, isn’t it, Isabel?” I say through clenched teeth, chest heaving. “Of course it is. You must have paid the police to stage that raid and make it look like some noble attack, right?” My voice rises, strained and breathless. “But why? Why the hell are you d

Last Updated : 2025-05-30

246 The Enemy Within

Cynthia’s POVThe sharp click of heels on tile draws my gaze toward the door. My breath catches.She steps in.Her posture is stiff, regal—shoulders square, chin raised. Her face is tight, unreadable. Not a single tremor, not even in her hands. She walks like she belongs here, like nothing is broken inside her. Like she hasn’t been locked up for years in that cold, sterile mental asylum.I don’t get it.How… how is she appearing normal?She shouldn’t be. That’s not how I remember her.A million questions flood my mind, but one word stumbles out of me before I can stop it—raw, unfiltered.“Mom?”She flicks her fingers in the air.The men beside her bow slightly and step out, wordless, obedient. The door closes behind them with a click, leaving only us.My feet feel like lead, dragging across the floor until I stand before her. “Mom… is this really you?”She scoffs, almost amused. “Ah, no, I mean… how?” My voice cracks. “How are you able to— You were at the hospital.”She chuckles softl