Chapter 9

Nicole Capra's rough palm clamped over Catherine Capra's mouth and nose, her nails digging into the pale skin.

Catherine's lashes fluttered violently, like a dying butterfly. Her slender fingers clawed uselessly at the air before going limp.

Nicole held the fruit knife steady. The blade glinted coldly under the sunlight. With practiced precision, she stabbed Catherine's abdomen—once, twice, three times.

"Mom, she's not moving anymore." Nicole's voice was eerily calm. "Now it's Susan Thompson's turn."

Susan was packing up Daniel's toys in the hospital room when a sudden chill ran down her spine. The plastic car slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor.

Her phone lit up with the caller ID: "Mom."

"Susan, I've had a change of heart." Grandma Thompson's voice dripped with unnatural enthusiasm. "Your father and I sold the old house. The money's ready. Come to Nicole's room to get the bank card."

Susan's fingers trembled slightly. She desperately needed that money—Daniel's transplant couldn't wait any longer.

The moment she pushed open the door, the metallic tang of blood assaulted her senses. Susan's pupils constricted—

Catherine lay sprawled in a pool of blood, a fruit knife buried in her chest. Her hospital gown was soaked crimson.

"Mom! What happened?" Susan's voice cracked.

Grandma Thompson suddenly seized her from behind, her rough hands like iron shackles around Susan's wrists.

"Andrew! Get up here now!" Nicole shrieked into her phone. "Susan's gone mad! She's trying to kill me!"

Susan struggled violently but couldn't break free. Blood smeared across her white coat like blooming red plum blossoms.

The door burst open. The second Victor Thompson charged in, Nicole collapsed to the floor, sobbing hysterically.

"Dad... Susan murdered Catherine... Mom tried to protect me..." She gasped between wails. "It's all my fault... I couldn't stop her..."

Victor's eyes burned with fury. He grabbed Susan by the throat and slammed her against the wall.

"Why?" His voice was pure venom. "Catherine was always kind to you!"

Susan's vision blurred. As darkness swallowed her, she saw Andrew Lucas standing in the doorway—his eyes colder than she'd ever seen.