Sofia's POV
I watched Rachel slowly twirl the spoon in her hand. She had found it.
She smiled wider, clearly enjoying the panic on my face. "You know" she said, her voice syrupy sweet, "I found it odd that there was peach in your soup. I mean, who would do something so stupid in front of guests like the Bubleys?"
I didn't respond. Just stared.
"So" she continued, "after you were rushed to the hospital, I started investigating. And guess what I found tucked under the dining table?" She held up the spoon like it was a trophy. "You really should've covered your tracks better."
I sat on the bed, looking defeated. It was clear what this was. Blackmail.
"What do you want?" I asked, voice low.
Rachel's smile dropped. Her eyes turned cold. "I want you gone. Either you kill yourself or leave this house voluntarily. I don't care."
I stared at her, stunned. Suicide? That was her solution?
I knew if I left, she'd still find a way to kill me. Staying in this house was protection, especially now that the Bubleys were watching.
I swallowed hard, letting my shoulders slump. "Fine," I whispered. "Suicide."
Rachel's face lit up like Christmas. She walked over and hugged me, her voice suddenly soft. "You don't have to suffer anymore, Sofia. Just end it. You can join your mother in Heaven, and we can all move on. I don't want to hurt you. I want to help you."
I sobbed into her shoulder "What's the fastest way?"
She pulled back, brushing my hair like I was a child. "Get Mami to buy a bottle of Zeplux insecticide. Drink half a cup before bed. That should do it."
Of course. Kill me and frame Mami in one go.
I nodded slowly. "Okay."
Rachel turned to leave, satisfied. But just as her hand touched the doorknob, I sat up straighter.
"Should I do it in your room, Rachel?" I asked.
She paused. "What?"
I tilted my head. "The suicide. Should I do it in your room?"
She turned around, confused. "What did you just say?"
I repeated it, then burst into uncontrollable laughter. It started low, then grew louder, until I was laughing uncontrollably, my shoulders shaking.
Rachel blinked. "What's funny?"
Still laughing, I wiped a tear from my eye. "I'm sorry. I… I just couldn't help myself. I was curious how you'd try to blackmail me."
Her face twisted. "You're crazy."
"Yeah I get that alot. Oh, and I was a bit worried Ashley might be the one to find the spoon…" I chuckled. "That would've been a disaster. But thank God the right person did."
Rachel's mouth opened. "You wanted me to find it?"
"Oh yes." I said, standing. I patted the rocking chair she'd been sitting in. "Now sit. It's my turn to talk."
She hesitated, then sat down slowly.
I went back to my bed and sat down, legs crossed, facing her. My voice dropped to a cold whisper. "You know, I wondered why you tried to kill me. Then I remembered Savannah Crown Hotel."
Her body stiffened, and her fingers gripped the chair arms.
Sofia giggled. "You remember that night, don't you?"
Elise had been working a cleaning shift there, when she saw Rachel enter through the VIP back door, literally dressed like an escort. She followed her, and saw her making out with an older man.
She couldn't make out his face. Just his silhouette and voice. She heard them arguing. But when Rachel said she had aborted his baby, he calmed down.
Elise, shocked, let out a small sound, and Rachel, who was nearer, heard it. Elise ran, but it was too late, cause Rachel had seen her.
Rachel's face drained of color.
I leaned forward with a sly grin. "I may not have seen his face. But I'm incredibly good at guessing. Wanna hear who I think that man is?"
I stood, walked over, and whispered a name into her ear.
Her reaction was immediate. She froze for a second, then trashed around in her seat, in rage. "Fuck you, Sofia!!!"
Bingo.
I laughed. "Judging by your reaction, guess I'm right."
Of course Elise never saw his face, and the book itself never confirmed his identity. But I have degrees in Criminology and Forensic Psychology, plus I've watched enough investigative films in my life to be a detective at this point. One calculated guess, and Rachel gave herself away.
I shook my head "But don't worry. I don't care who you fuck." I said with all honesty. "That's your personal business. What I do care about is what you've been doing with money"
Rachel narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about?"
I leaned back. "A little birdie told me you've been laundering millions for a mafia organization, through a fake non-profit."
Rachel shot upright, horror flashing in her gaze. "Who told you that?!" she hissed. "No one knows about that"
I laughed. "It's a ecret."
Rachel's throat bobbed as she swallowed, trying to regain control. "If you think you can threaten me—"
"Oh please. I don't do threats." I cut her off "I'm offering you a deal. I don't care about the mafia, or the laundering, or the fucking. I just… Enough with the suicide shit. I'm here to stay. And keep Mami out your mind. But I do need something from you."
"What?"
"Twenty grand."
She stared at me like I'd grown horns. "Twenty… what?"
"I'm not repeating myself." I frowned. "You've got the money. It's a small one-time price to pay for my silence, Rachel"
Rachel stared at me, completely thrown off. "You've changed. The Sofia I know wouldn't hurt a fly…"
I shrugged. "Yeah… I died, and resurrected."
Rachel rolled her eyes, dismissing it as nonsense.
You tell people the truth, they don't believe it.
After a long pause, she spoke again with a dry tone. "And what if I refuse?"
I stood and walked toward her. "Didn't it strike you as odd when Dad hurriedly pushed the blame on Ashley? I mean, normally, he'd punish me even if I was innocent. But this time, he didn't, even when he knew I'm guilty."
Rachel turned to me in shock.
I scoffed "Come on now, Rach. They're not stupid. They most definitely suspect I planned the whole thing."
"So incase you haven't figured it, your blackmail is pretty much dead on arrival, boo." I continue.
"The moment you take that spoon to them, they'll turn on you faster than light travels. Why? Cause they know how reckless you can be"
I smile. "And something tells me they'd be more afraid of you being exposed than me"
I placed a hand on her shoulder, sighing. "It's not that you're not smart, Rachel. You just don't know when to be smart and when to be foolish."
Rachel's breath hitched. So I'm sure she understood now that I held leverage far greater than the spoon. Enough to rattle our parents.
She smiled weakly, shaking her head. "I see you planned everything so well"
I shrugged and flopped onto the bed, legs crossed behind me. "It's what I do best. You have a week to come up with the money."
Rachel stood, brushing her dress smooth, trying to salvage her dignity. She forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "You're gonna regret messing with me, Sofia."
Oh?
I chuckle darkly. "Three days. And for every day spent, $500 will be added."
With a red face, Rachel turned and stormed out, slamming the door.
In that moment, the book that was blank in Rachel's hands transformed back to the way it was.
I exhaled in relief, then began packing my things for the new room. As I combed through the small space, I found remnants of Elise's life. Her drawings. Her notes. Her pain.
Near the bed, I noticed a loose panel in the wall. I pried it open and found a brown flip phone. It's a Samsung W2014. I remembered it cause a friend had raved about it then.
This was Elise's. She'd bought it secretly with side gig money and hid it from her family.
I flipped it open.
57 missed calls. 43 texts.
All from a contact named Tati.
I remembered her. Elise's best friend. They were literally sisters. They worked side jobs together, and helped each other survive.
I opened the messages…
Tati: Babe whr are u? I've been calling all day..
Tati: You didn't show up for the shift.. Are u okay?
Tati: I'm worried. Pls pick up..
Tati: are u in trouble? .. .
My chest tightened, so without thinking, I quickly typed a reply.
Hey Tati. I'm so sorry. I'm okay now, and I'll explain everything when we meet.
I hit send, and continued packing.
When I was almost done, I feel a vibration in my pocket. Opening my phone, I see a text from Tati.
Tati: Who are u??