Chapter 8
SLAP!
Betty slapped her. “Gabriella, do you still think of your birthday? Are you even human?”
Gabriella tasted blood in her mouth. She walked over to her grandparents and bowed deeply.
“I’m sorry. I have to go. Take care of yourselves.”
“You’re heartless. Why wasn’t it you who died?” said Agnes, voice full of hate.
Gabriella’s eyes turned red.
It felt like everyone wanted her dead. This time, they got what they
wished for.
She said nothing. Turned around and walked out. But when her eyes met Gwen’s, she smiled at her.
Then, without looking back, she left.
Behind her, there were sobs. And one sharp, piercing gaze that never left
her back.
She returned home and looked around.
She’d lived here for five years. All she really owned were a few daily necessities and some clothes. It felt like, from the moment she moved in, she’d only ever been a guest.
Daily items–trashed.
Clothes–burned.
She looked around one last time. Once she was sure nothing of hers remained, she walked into the bathroom.
As the tub filled with water, a message popped up on her phone.
“Mrs. Dalloz’s HD private pics” followed by a big “TRENDING #1“.
“Truth came late but loud. Saw it. Mrs. Dalloz’s got curves but no ‘big mole“.”
“Forget that she’s a killer’s daughter–this body, this face, damn!”
“Saved it. Gonna enjoy tonight.”
Reynald’s voice echoed in her mind. “If I die, don’t think you’ll have it easy.”
He really meant every word.
Gabriella laughed–tears streaming down her face.
She lay in the tub. The blade sliced her wrist. Blood poured out.
She picked up her phone and called Gwen. “It’s done. When it’s all over, scatter my ashes into the sea. I’ll finally be free.
Silence. Then Gwen choked up.
“I’ll take care of everything. I’ll have Reynald prepped for surgery. I’ll make sure the rest of your organs are donated.” By the end, she was sobbing.
Gabriella gave a small, teary smile.
“Gwennie… I’m sorry I made you cry.”
The call ended.
As she bled and grew colder, her vision blur
The phone rang again. It was Reynald.
“I found a matching heart. Sorry to disappoint, I’m not dying.”
Gabriella’s voice was barely a whisper. “Congrats.”
“Gabriella, don’t think you can escape. You’ll always be Mrs. Dalloz. I won’t let you go.” Reynald said, word by word.
Gabriella smiled.
He lied to her for five years.
A marriage certificate trapped her for another five years.
But this time, he couldn’t keep her.
The phone slipped into the tub. The screen went dark.
Gabriella’s body went limp, sliding underwater. The water covered her head.
In a haze, she thought she saw her mom reaching out to her.
Half an hour later, Reynald was being wheeled into surgery. He passed a bed being wheeled the other way.
Instinctively, he turned his head. He couldn’t see the face, but the sound of the wheels crushed something in his chest.
They pushed him into the OR.
He pressed his lips together, blaming the tightness in his chest on his
heart.
Chapter 8
Once surgery was done, he’d go find Gabriella. They had a whole lifetime left to fight to the bitter end.
Anesthesia flowed in. He looked into Gwen’s red, icy eyes. And suddenly, he thought of Gabriella.
Her last words echoed in his ears.
“Reynald, live a long, long life.”
