On the Edge

Bella’s scream pierced through the air, echoing across the lounge like a desperate cry for help. It wasn’t just the loudness of it—it was the raw pain in her voice that grabbed the attention of everyone around her. Strangers began to gather, whispering and shooting concerned glances in her direction. A few of them stepped forward, trying to console her, asking questions she couldn’t even process.

"Are you okay?"

"Do you know Mr. Ramsey Wendel?"

"Are you related to him?"

But Bella wasn’t hearing any of it. Her mind was too shattered. The man she had loved—the one she thought she had figured out—was gone. Dead. Just like that.

Alex stood beside her, looking helpless, unsure of what to do. His face was pale, his hands shaking slightly, but he didn’t say anything. He didn’t know how to comfort Bella. He didn’t know how to comfort *anyone*.

Meanwhile, Mandy stood nearby, watching Bella’s breakdown, a slight smirk curling the edges of her lips. She sighed a sigh of relief—Her plans h