Bonus Chapter 5

It was a quiet afternoon when Erica received a message from the receptionist in the lobby, telling her that an unexpected visitor had arrived. The name on the visitor log made Erica’s heart skip a beat.

Ophelia’s mother.

She hadn’t seen or heard from her in years. This was the woman who had been complicit in Ophelia’s schemes, who had chosen time and time again to side against Erica. Now, she was here, asking for a meeting, and Erica couldn’t quite fathom why.

Curiosity mixed with caution, Erica agreed to see her. Moments later, the doors to her office opened, and there she was—older, slightly frailer, with an expression that seemed as if it were weighed down by regret.

“Thank you for seeing me,” she said softly, her voice carrying a tremble that Erica had never heard before.

Erica gestured to the chair in front of her desk. “Please, sit down.”

Once seated, Ophelia’s mother took a deep, shaky breath. Her eyes were distant, filled with memories and perhaps even shame. Erica watched her