・～ It hurts so much… it hurts like hell when the ones you trust most are the first to betray you.・～
---
Felicia's voice sliced through the air like a dagger.
She paced the room, venom dripping from every word.
"Haven't you thought about what she said before?" she snapped. "That a monster killed Lily? Wake up, James — she's the monster! The very same one that murdered her mother."
James sank deeper into the couch, her words hitting him like stones. He rubbed his temples, sighing.
"But you can't just assume that, Felicia. What if… what if she's innocent?" he said quietly.
Felicia let out a sharp laugh that ended in a trembling sob. "Innocent? Oh, James…" Her voice broke, and she lowered her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.
James's chest tightened. He rushed to her side. "Felicia, love, don't cry. Please, talk to me. What's wrong?"
She looked up at him through her tears, voice cracking.
"Do you think I would ever hate your niece for no reason? That child was like my own daughter… I loved her!"
James cupped her face. "Then tell me what's going on. Please, you're killing me with your tears."
She hesitated, then whispered, "I swore never to tell you this, but I can't hold it anymore. You might not believe me…"
"Try me," he urged.
Her breath trembled. "The last time you came home… we were together. Two months ago. And after three weeks, I found out I was pregnant."
James froze, blinking rapidly. "Y–You're… pregnant?"
"I was." Her lips quivered. "But then… everything turned to a nightmare."
James straightened, fear crawling through him.
"I started having dreams — horrible dreams — of Ariel stabbing my stomach," she continued, voice shaking. "And when I woke up… my baby was gone."
James's eyes widened in horror. "What—what are you saying?"
"I went to the temple," Felicia cried, clutching his arm. "The priestess told me everything — Ariel is a witch, James. A cursed child. If we don't stop her, she'll destroy us all… just like she did her mother."
James's face drained of color. He slumped back, lost in disbelief, torn between reason and fear.
Felicia watched him carefully, her sobs softening into a sly smile he didn't notice.
"I told you," she said, voice low. "That girl is evil."
James's jaw tightened. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant sooner?"
"I wanted it to be a surprise, my love," she said, forcing a trembling smile. "But it turned out to be a dream that was never meant to come true."
James exhaled sharply, confusion clouding his eyes.
"Maybe you're right," he murmured. "Ever since she came, everything's gone downhill — my business, my peace…"
Felicia hid her satisfaction behind a tearful nod.
Her plan was working perfectly.
---
✯ Back in Ariel's Room ✯
Ariel blew out the flickering candle beside her bed. The soft glow vanished, replaced by the silver wash of moonlight streaming through the open window. The wind was cold, but she didn't close it — she liked the whisper of the night; it reminded her she was still alive.
Pulling the quilt up to her chin, she sighed.
Maybe things will get better tomorrow.
Her eyes fluttered shut.
---
✷ Back in Thomas's Room ✷
James (Thomas) paced restlessly, anger and confusion twisting inside him. "This is madness," he said bitterly. "How could something like this be possible?"
Felicia sat by the edge of the bed, her expression calm now, almost too calm. "It's not about believing, love. It's about acting before it's too late."
James looked at her warily. "And what exactly do you want me to do?"
Felicia leaned in, whispering something that made his blood run cold.
He jerked back, eyes wide. "What!? You want me to sell her? For slavery?"
Felicia's lips curled. "Yes, darling. What else? Do you want her to stay and kill us next?"
"That's… that's inhumane," he stammered. "You know what happens to slaves. Some end up with beasts… or worse."
Felicia stood up slowly, her eyes glinting. "And who said she's human? That creature doesn't deserve mercy. Or would you rather wait till she murders one of your daughters in their sleep?"
James swallowed hard, his pulse racing.
She pressed on, voice smooth and venomous. "It's simple, James. Either she goes, or we die."
He hesitated… then finally whispered, "Fine. I'll contact Killer Joe. The head hunter."
Felicia's smile widened — dark, triumphant.
"When?"
"In… a week or two," he muttered.
Her eyes flared. "No! If that girl spends another night here, we won't live to see morning. Sell her tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Isn't that too soon?"
Felicia's tone snapped like a whip. "Are you hesitating because she bewitched you?"
James froze.
"I'm serious, James. If she stays, I leave. I refuse to die in this house."
He looked at her — at the tears, at the fear (real or not, he couldn't tell anymore). Finally, he nodded. "Fine. I'll make sure she's gone by morning."
Felicia's lips curved into a devilish smile.
Finally… that witch will be gone for good.
---
Dawn — 5 A.M.
A soft knock echoed in Ariel's room. She stirred, still half-asleep.
"Who could it be this early?" she muttered, dragging herself up.
When she opened the door, her uncle stood there, smiling.
"Uncle James?" she blinked, surprised.
"Morning, my dear," he said warmly.
The warmth in his tone melted her sleepiness. "Good morning, Uncle! You're back!"
"Yes. And I have news for you."
She grinned, fetching him a chair. "Business going well?"
He hesitated, forcing a smile. "Something like that."
Then his tone shifted. "Ariel, I have two pieces of news for you — one good, one bad. Which do you want first?"
Her brows knitted, but she smiled playfully. "Bad news first."
James sighed. "I couldn't find your mother's killer. I tried, but… no leads."
Ariel lowered her head for a moment, then looked up, smiling faintly. "It's okay. She's gone now. And I still have you."
That caught him off guard. His heart twisted — guilt, maybe. But Felicia's words echoed louder in his mind. Witch.
He forced a smile. "Then… the good news."
Her eyes brightened.
"I found a job for you," he said. "A good one. My friend in the West needs help, and he's coming to pick you up this morning."
Her mouth fell open. "This morning?"
"Yes. He's leaving soon, so hurry. Pack quickly, the train leaves at six."
Ariel blinked in confusion, her excitement tangled with unease. "That's… really sudden."
"No time to waste, dear," he said softly — too softly. "Everything's ready."
"Alright…" she murmured.
When she hugged him, he stiffened, then gently patted her back without returning the warmth.
Minutes later, she was downstairs, dressed and ready. Felicia was there — smiling. Smiling.
"Good morning, my dear," she said sweetly. "Sleep well?"
Ariel's stomach twisted. What's going on?
"Fine," she said quietly.
Felicia nodded. "Be good where you're going. Make us proud."
Ariel forced a smile. "Yes, Aunt Felicia."
When she asked to say goodbye to Elizabeth and Melanie, both Felicia and James snapped, "No!"
The tension in the room was thick, and Ariel knew something wasn't right.
Still, she followed her uncle out, heart heavy, the early morning mist wrapping around her like a shroud.
---
At the station, the air was cold and damp. They sat in silence. The city clock struck six.
James stood. "Wait here. I'll be right back."
Ariel nodded, shivering.
Minutes passed. Then she heard footsteps — heavy ones.
When she looked up, her heart stopped.
A group of chained people was being dragged toward her — men dressed in black, their eyes cold as stone. The prisoners' wrists clinked with metal, their faces hollow.
A chill crawled down her spine.
Something was terribly, terribly wrong.
---
📖 ✨Author's Note
Hey lovely readers! 💕
Thanks for checking out this book—I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Don't forget to drop your thoughts, guesses, or favorite parts in the comments. Your feedback keeps me inspired and motivated to write more for you. 🥰
See you in the next chapter!
—[Divine Twinkle]—