Lauran stared at all of them—faces filled with anger, truth, and disappointment.
Her mask finally shattered.
Lauran:
"You think you can punish me?
I'd rather die than let you win, Amber!" 😡
Before anyone could react, she turned—
and jumped into the piranha tank.
Lauran: "AHHHHHHHH—!!" 😱
A splash.
A few seconds.
Silence.
She was gone.
Joseph: "AH—!"
He immediately hid behind Steve, wiping his tears.
"Bro, that was so scary… 😭"
Everyone else stood frozen, unable to react.
---
BACK AT THE DEVIS HOUSE
They all returned in silence—
the atmosphere heavy, like a storm refusing to leave.
Amber walked in first.
Her body ached with every step, but she refused to show it.
She moved to sit on the sofa—
Amber: "Ahh—"
A small wince escaped.
Jonathan:
"What happened?! Amber, are you hurt?" 😨
Amber:
"It's nothing." 😑
(But her hand instinctively touched her ribs.)
Justin kept staring at her.
His fingers trembled.
His heart squeezed painfully.
He hated himself.
He couldn't protect her.
He couldn't stop anything.
He almost lost her—again.
Justin: 🥺
(I'm useless… I couldn't do anything for mom…)
Eric noticed Justin's expression.
His heart tightened too—
he wanted to comfort him, but didn't know how.
Jonathan, too, couldn't look Amber in the eyes.
Guilt weighed on him like chains.
Everyone felt it.
The shame.
The regret.
The fear of losing her again.
Minutes passed in thick silence.
Finally, Amber stood.
Amber:
"I'll take some rest." 😊
She tried to smile.
But before she could turn—
Mrs. Devis:
"I didn't know… you respected me this much, Amber." 🥺
Her voice trembled.
Amber paused and looked at her gently.
Mrs. Devis:
"I was angry at you… yes.
For killing so many people.
For bringing danger.
But I never—
never hated you." 😭
Her voice cracked as tears escaped.
Mrs. Devis:
"If I knew you left because of what Laurant told you…
I would've gone to bring you back that same day, Amber." 😭
"I thought you left because of Mr. William.
I blamed you… and I am so, so sorry."
The room went still.
Amber exhaled softly.
Amber:
"I am glad… you didn't tell me to return that day, ma'am." 😊
Her eyes softened for the first time.
Mrs. Devis:
"…Why?
Why do you respect me so much, Amber?" 🥲
Her voice was small, fragile—
a mother seeking understanding.
Amber looked straight into her eyes.
Her answer would decide everything.
---continue