The hallway outside the operating theater was still cold and sterile, but it buzzed with emotion. The Norton families were still there, their faces pale with the kind of grief that pierced deep into the soul. A heavy silence filled the air, broken only by the occasional murmur of hushed conversations. The double doors swung open with a quiet creak, and out came the nurses, pushing a cold, metal gurney that carried the still body of Bella. She was covered with a white sheet, her once-vibrant face now hidden beneath the cloth. Her body was now a shell of the woman who had once brought so much laughter to those around her. Ramsey was the first to react. He lunged forward, his eyes wild with disbelief. He still found it difficult to believe the lady who kissed him this morning is gone! the lady who took photos with him this morning! If only he knew they were the last! “No!” he screamed, his voice a mixture of rage and desperation. “Stop! You can’t take her!” He reached for the gurney
"Yes, officer!" The nurse reply, confidently. “We’re here for her,” the officer said, glancing at Dwight before turning his attention to the still figure on the bed. "We have a warrant for her arrest on the charges of murder." Dwight's expression faded instantly, his voice rising in disbelief. “Inspector my wife is pregnant! you can't arrest her, and besides, she's in a critical state right now. Please I'll advice you, to keep this warrant for later when you have solid evidences." The officer remained calm, unfazed by Dwight’s outburst. “Solid evidences, you say? A witness, along with several others, reported Mandy's involvement in the murder of miss Bella Norton. We have sufficient cause to hold her for questioning.” Dwight knew very well Mandy was not innocent of any of the charges, but he was too concerned about her now, and he won't let any harm come her way. "You can’t be serious!" Dwight protested, his voice shaking with anger. "You’re going to arrest my pregnant wife b
"I actually thought you'd learn from this, but I guess I'm wrong. Anyways, I never betrayed you. Rachel framed me—your grandpa asked her to do it." Dwight explained and then turn to take his leave. "Really? Hold up, Dwig..." Mandy stuttered. "I'm sorry!" Dwight was surprised by her sudden change of demeanor. How come she believed him without questions? the same thing he's been trying to explain to her for weeks that she wouldn't listen, suddenly, his 5secs speech, convinced her. "it's fine, Mandy. I understand you." He said without turning around. "Dwight! please I want you back! I've missed you. I'm lonely, I'm empty, and now, Bella is gone, I'm completely shattered. Please don't leave me, Dwight. Please don't let them send me to jail, please." Mandy cried, sobbing and sniffing. Dwight walked back to her bedside, held her face in his hands, starred straight into her eyes and smiled. "I'll never let you go to jail, Mandy. I know who deserves to, and I'll make sure to it.
Mandy and Dwight arrived at the police station, feeling more relieved than distressed, as they approached the cold, sterile environment of the holding cells. The air felt heavy with tension, and the fluorescent lights flickered ominously overhead. They were led into a private interrogation room, a small space with an unyielding table and two uncomfortable chairs. Mandy took a seat, Dwight sat beside her, fidgeting with his hands. Dwight was deep in thought, and Mandy could see the gears turning in his mind. After a few moments of silence, she broke it. “So, who do you plan to frame for this? Cain?” she whispered. Dwight leaned closer, whispering, “Of course, Cain. He's guilty and he has a history; no one would question it.” Mandy’s stomach twisted at the suggestion. “If you bring Cain into this, he’ll betray me, Dwight! I’ll rot in jail because he'll point fingers at me. We can’t risk that.” “But, Mandy, I could still bail you out. Cain deserves jail. Or is there another ally
"You cannot arrest my granddaughter, officer. I just Lost one, I can't afford to have another taken from me." Grandpa Benson sobbed, his voice husky from crying."Of course sir! I am not arresting your daughter. I'm just taking her for questioning on the basis of Bella Norton's death. Or don't you want justice for your late grandchild?" Inspector Ramirez said, locking his gaze on grandpa Benson.Following the words of the inspector, Ramsey turned and gave Rachel a deadly stare. Rachel didn't notice Ramsey, but she was already trembling herself. Her guilt piercing her heart like a sword.She knew she wasn't responsible for Bella's death—but then, she's responsible for Bella's death.Uncle Mark stormed up, immediately, to defend his daughter. "What's wrong with you inspector? You cannot just barge in here take my daughter in for questioning. You have the murderer in custody, why do you need to question my daughter. Mandy is the murderer, do whatever you want with her." The second offic
Dwight arrived at the office of the lawyer Pamela suggested to him. He was the most influential and prominent lawyer in the whole of California, he had never lost any case, throughout his lawyer career. Defending His clients are his number one priority but his biggest motivation is MONEY, and this lawyer is no one else but.... knock! knock! Dwight's hand sounded on the door. "Come in, Mr. Mendez!" A voice rang from within. Dwight stepped in confidently. His newfound lawyers office was looking like a staffroom. This lawyer was the most wealthiest in California, yet his office isn't looking like his status. Where the fuck does he invest his money? Dwight thought, but he was interrupted when his gaze met his lawyers'. He was exactly as the media had describe him. his charming, deceptive face, his lustrous brown eyes, his charisma, everything spoke well of him and his achievements. surely his a catch for Mandy's case. Dwight's eyes were still perusing around, when he caught sig
Back at the station, Inspector Ramirez proceeds to interrogate Rachel in his office. As he walked in, the tension in the room magnified. Inspector Ramirez, noticed the fright in Rachel eyes. Meanwhile, Elsa kept a confident expression. Inspector Ramirez was very smart and calculative, he knew the exact way to get the truth from anyone, so he saw Elsa's boldness as a piece of cake. "Good evening, Rachel. Thank you for agreeing to speak with me." He greeted as he took his seat. "We don't have time for courtesy. Straight to the point." Elsa snapped. "Cool your veins, Lawyer." Ramirez replied giving her a stern gaze. He leaned forward, hands clasped, and with an authoritative voice, he began, "Rachel, I want to start by saying that I believe you're intelligent and resourceful. I'm not here to intimidate or manipulate you. My goal is to uncover the truth." "Okay." Rachel whispered through her teeth, feeling more tensed than before. Ramirez leaned back to his chair, eyes still
The evening air was thick with tension as Rachel and Elsa walked into the Norton Mansion. The weight of the Interrogation at the station hung over them like a cloud, and neither spoke as they made their way inside. Ramsey was waiting for Rachel at the entrance to their quaters, his face drawn in pain, but his eyes still sharp with suspicion. He motioned for Rachel to follow him for a private talk, a quiet urgency in his gesture. Elsa gave them space and went inside to meet the rest of the family. Rachel hesitated for a moment, she was already tired of answering questions, but if there was anyone who deserved answers right now, it'll be Ramsey, so, she is patient enough for that. Ramsey, held her hand and led her to the cottage, where Dwight and Mandy had initially lived. He wanted a more confined place for their discussion, and the cottage does the bet.he closed the door behind them and slowly lowered himself into a battered chair, grimacing as the pain shot through his heart. Th
The dining room was filled with an unspoken heaviness as Rachel, Elsa, and Uncle Mark gathered for lunch at the Norton's Mansion. Uncle Mark, leaning back thoughtfully, looked at each of his daughters with pride and empathy. Breaking the silence, he gently asked, “What’s the way forward, girls? Where do you see yourselves, now, after everything?” Elsa spoke up first, her tone determined yet reflective. “I’ve always dreamed of becoming a lawyer,” she began. “But I’ve seen what it takes to make a real name as one… the compromises, the shortcuts. I can’t become someone like Stefano McReynolds. Modeling, on the other hand,” she continued, a flicker of newfound confidence brightening her face, “it feels natural. I’ve realized it’s something I’m genuinely good at, and I want to give it everything I’ve got.” Uncle Mark smiled, his eyes warm with approval. “Elsa, whatever path you choose, know I’m standing behind you. Follow your heart, and the rest will fall into place.” Elsa’s cheeks
Dwight was just about to leave Mandy’s rehab ward when he found the doctor waiting at the entrance. He quickly stepped aside to speak with him, concern clouding his face. “Mandy’s recovery is going well, doctor,” he began quietly. “But she’s having episodes of memory loss. She can’t remember certain events… especially losing our child. What do we do now?” The doctor raised an eyebrow, a thoughtful look crossing his face. “Does she remember having a baby at all?” “Yes,” Dwight admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “But she believes the baby is still in the incubator. I… I told her that, hoping it would ease her mind.” The doctor nodded, a plan forming in his mind. “In that case, there might be a way to help her continue healing,” he said carefully. “If she can’t recall losing the baby, then… adopt a newborn. Present it to her as her own child.” Dwight stared at the doctor in shock, the idea hitting him like a wave. “You mean… find a child and pretend it’s hers?” “Yes,” the doc
The atmosphere in the courtroom was thick with tension as Serena stood before the jury, her once-proud demeanor shattered. Today was her hearing, and she faced charges for the murder of little Bella, a robbery, and the ruthless crime she had framed Peter Allison for. Serena shifted uncomfortably, her hands vibrating as the judge prepared to read the verdict. The foreperson of the jury rose, casting a sharp glance in Serena’s direction before delivering the final judgment. “The jury has found you guilty of first degree murder. I hereby sentence you to twenty five hundred consecutive life sentences plus a thousand years.”She turned to face Serena, her face beet red with contempt like there was more of a personal grudge between them than a federal case. "Once you pass away, you will receive an attempted escape charge with an additional two hundred years added to your sentence which you will begin serving in the afterlife once you get hell." Her eyes were fierce and full of resentment
Dwight picked a lighter from the kitchen and headed back to the living room.The flames from the lighter flickered in the dimly lit room as he approached Ramsey, who lay slumped and bound in the chair. Without a hint of hesitation, Dwight flicked the lighter, setting Ramsey’s hair alight in an instant. The fire crackled to life, devouring the strands and singeing his scalp, sending smoke spiraling into the air. Ramsey screamed, his voice hoarse, begging, pleading for Dwight to end it all. As the fire died, leaving Ramsey’s head charred and his spirit all but shattered, he let out a ragged sob. His skin, bruised and torn, showed a ghostly paleness beneath the streaks of blood. He could feel his strength slipping away, the life draining from him with each passing second. Desperate, he attempted to bite his tongue in a last effort to escape the torment, but his body betrayed him; his jaw trembled, teeth chattering too weakly to do any real harm. For a long moment, Dwight just stood th
Ramsey’s body shook, his tone barely concealing the fear behind his words as he looked up at Dwight, shackled and bound. He swallowed hard, watching Dwight rummage through the backpack filled with a disturbing array of tools, each promising a unique kind of agony. “What do you want?” Ramsey asked, forcing a calmness into his tone that belied the terror swirling inside him. Dwight chuckled darkly, shaking his head. “What do I want? really? Ramsey, you seem to have cheated the face death so often that you now think you're unkillable. Am I right?” He tilted his head, a sinister glint in his eyes. Ramsey attempted to use psychology to save himself. “I know you, Dwight Mendez,” he said, his voice feigning familiarity. “You’re not like me. You’re a good man, a better man. You’re not capable of killing anyone.” Dwight laughed, but it wasn’t the laugh of a man who found amusement. It was cold, devoid of warmth, and filled with pain. His gaze flickered to Hannah’s lifeless body sprawle
Dwight pulled into the driveway of his mansion, his mind set, heart hardened. This night, there was only one objective: justice for Mandy, for Bella, for everything Serena, Hannah, and Ramsey had taken from him. He strode inside, up the grand staircase, and into his private study. With quick precision, he unlocked his safe, pulling out a small, polished handgun. As he tucked it into his coat, his thoughts were interrupted by a quiet voice. “Sir,” one of the maids approached, her face filled with worry. “We’ve been searching for Clara for days. She’s disappeared without a word. We think…we think maybe she ran away with Hannah.” Dwight’s expression didn’t change; he simply gave a curt nod. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll find her.” The maid looked on, unsure, but Dwight had already turned, a cold resolve in his eyes. Tonight, he would tie up all loose ends. As he drove, Dwight made a stop at a small, dimly lit store, where he gathered an arsenal of tools designed to inflict slow, prec
The hospital room was dimly lit, quiet except for the steady hum of machines. Bella had been taken to the morgue, her tiny body lying cold and alone, while Mandy lay unconscious, her face pale and sunken, a single bandage wrapped around her head where doctors had inserted the tubes needed for her life-saving surgery. Dwight paced the hallway outside, his hands clenched, jaw tight. The doctor’s words echoed in his mind, each one like a hammer blow. Traumatic brain swelling. Ventriculostomy. Critical condition. He’d paid for the surgery without hesitation, willing to give anything, everything he had, to keep Mandy alive. But his heart ached with the weight of sorrow, an emptiness that seemed to stretch into every corner of his being. Finally, after endless hours, a nurse stepped out, her eyes soft with sympathy. “Mr. Mendez, Mandy’s surgery went well. She’s resting, but…” She paused, hesitant, before continuing gently, “Her condition is very fragile. You need to be prepared for when
With all the strength left in her bones, Mandy shouted “Bellaaaaaaaaaaaa!” She got up, trying to reach out to carry her baby, but the scene was too gory, the image of her scrambled daughter on the floor was too horrific. She fell backward, her body slumping to the ground before Dwight could reach her. Her head struck the pavement with a sickening thud, and she lay motionless, her face pale, eyes closed, as if the life had drained out of her in that single, heart-wrenching moment. “Mandy! No, please, Mandy…” Dwight’s voice was choked, his hands trembling as he knelt beside her, gently shaking her shoulders, begging her to open her eyes. His vision blurred with tears as he pleaded. But she didn’t respond, her stillness heavy with finality. Nearby, Ramsey was frozen, his eyes locked on the lifeless form of his daughter. It was as if his mind couldn’t process the horror before him, his body rooted in shock, consciousness slipping. His face was empty, expression hollow, every inch of h
After studying their faces, Serena let out a cold blooded laughter that showed mockery. Mandy, Dwight, Ramsey, Hannah—all stood frozen, watching her every move. Davis, desperate to put an end to this, bolted down the stairs from his balcony, reaching out to grab her. But before he could touch her, Serena twisted away, her scream cutting through the tense air. “Back off, Davis!” she snarled, brandishing the knife to Bella’s tiny neck. The crowd held their breath, their horror clear as Serena’s grip tightened on the little girl. “Davis, Let her do what she wants,” Ramsey urged, his voice shaking, "Please don’t make her angry, my Bella...” Serena’s lips curled into a satisfied sneer, feeling the control she held over them. Without loosening her hold on Bella, she began to back up the stairs, her eyes locked on everyone below. “I’m going back to Davis’s place,” she declared, her voice sharp with threat. “I'm going to pick up the Mendez company papers . I’ll take them with me—or th