Chapter 6

“I want to compete,” I said before I even realized the words had left my mouth.

Donna Anastasia smiled. “Of course. Anyone who wants to join is welcome.”

Almost immediately, Vivienne stepped forward. “Then I'd like to join too. It wouldn't be fun if Lori competed alone, and I've always wanted another chance to compete against my dear cousin.”

The contest began. One by one, the women were eliminated until only Vivienne and I remained.

People started whispering.

“Miss Lorelie used to be one of the best shooters among all the mafia heirs.”

“I remember that. Don Vance trained her himself.”

“Vivienne's good, but Lori's on another level.”

Donna Anastasia smiled. “Three rounds. Highest total score wins, so let's see who takes home the brooch.”

Vivienne went first.

Bang!

Nine.

Bang!

Nine again.

The crowd applauded as she smiled proudly, clearly pleased with her performance.

Then came her final shot.

Bang!

The moving target shifted at the last second, and she missed completely. A disappointed murmur spread through the crowd.

“Eighteen points.”

Now it was my turn.

I picked up the pistol, and for the first time in a long while, it felt familiar in my hand. Comforting. I took a slow breath, steadied my grip, and focused on the moving target.

Bang!

Perfect ten.

Bang!

Another perfect ten.

The crowd immediately burst into applause.

“I knew it!”

“Miss Lorelie still hasn't lost her touch.”

“Looks like the brooch is finally going back to its rightful owner.”

I glanced at Vivienne. The smile on her face had vanished, replaced by barely concealed fury.

I slowly raised my pistol for the final shot.

‘Mom... I'm bringing your brooch home.’

I lined up my aim as the moving target crossed my sights.

Just one more shot.

Then a gunshot suddenly echoed through the garden.

Bang!

Something slammed into my chest, and a searing pain ripped through my body. The pistol slipped from my fingers as I staggered backward.

The garden instantly descended into chaos.

“Gun!”

“Protect Donna Anastasia!”

“Someone's shooting!”

My breathing turned ragged when I forced myself to look up. Across the shooting range stood Jerome. His pistol was still raised while smoke curled from the barrel.

Our eyes met.

No… No...

Please… don't tell me… Did you shoot me just so Vivienne could win? Was my mother's last gift worth so little to you?

Or was I?

My knees gave out, and the world slowly faded into darkness.

...

When I opened my eyes again, my chest was wrapped in thick bandages. Every breath hurt, and every heartbeat sent pain through my body.

I turned my head.

Vivienne was sitting beside my bed.

The white diamond butterfly brooch rested in her hand as she slowly turned it between her fingers with a smile.

“Oh, Lori,” she laughed softly. “What a shame. You were so close, so unbelievably close to taking this home. Who would've guessed an assassin would suddenly show up and change everything?”

She lifted the brooch closer to my face before tilting her head. “You know, when we were kids, you were always better than me. You shot better, fought better, people liked you more, and even Linux only had eyes for you.”

She shrugged as if none of it mattered.

“But ever since you were kidnapped seven years ago, you've been losing everything. Linux, your babies, your husband, and now...” She smiled as she raised the butterfly brooch. “Even this belongs to me. Don't you think it's funny? Sometimes it almost feels like God has been helping me all along.”

I slowly closed my eyes.

God?

No.

It wasn't God. It was Jerome.

“Get out.”

My voice was barely above a whisper, but every word was filled with hatred.

Vivienne only laughed. “Oh? Someone's angry. Come on, Lori, don't be like that. I haven't even given you my gift yet.”

She clapped her hands, and a maid immediately walked into the room, struggling to push in a large cart covered with a white cloth. Something underneath kept moving.

My heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Vivienne smiled brightly. “I've recently been donating rescued animals to different shelters, and I thought I'd let you see them before they're sent away. They're all so small and helpless. I'm sure you'll find them adorable.”

She slowly pulled away the cloth.

Dozens of cages that filled with rats.

The moment I saw them, my blood ran cold.

Tiny black eyes. Long pink tails.

Sharp scratching sounds echoed through the room.

Squeak.

Squeak.

Squeak.

My breathing stopped.

No... No... Please...

Not again!

Seven years ago, during those three days I was kidnapped, they locked me inside an abandoned warehouse. There were hundreds of rats. They crawled over my feet, my legs, my body. I screamed until my voice disappeared.

Ever since then, I couldn't even look at one without panicking.

Vivienne knew that.

Which meant... She brought them here on purpose.

“I d-don't want them here,” I said, my voice trembling. “T-take them away. Right now.”

Vivienne blinked innocently. “But why? They're harmless. I'm only keeping them until the rescue center picks them up tomorrow. I thought seeing something so small and helpless might cheer you up after everything you've been through.”

Cheer me up?

She was trying to destroy me!

“Take them away!”

I tried to get out of bed despite the pain in my chest. My hands shook so badly that I almost fell.

Vivienne quickly grabbed my arm. “Lori, calm down. You're overreacting. They're locked inside cages. They can't hurt you.”

“Don't touch me!”

I shoved her away and she stumbled back dramatically.

One of the cages tipped over and crashed onto the floor. Several rats escaped. They scattered across the room.

I screamed.

Every horrible memory came rushing back.

Then the bedroom door opened.

Jerome walked in.

His eyes immediately landed on the overturned cage.

“What happened?” he asked as he looked around the room. “Why are there rats everywhere?”

Before I could speak, Vivienne lowered her head. “Jerome... I only wanted to help. I rescued these poor little animals and planned to donate them tomorrow. I thought Lori had been sad lately, so I wanted to show her something meaningful. Maybe it'd remind her that even abandoned lives deserve kindness.”

She sniffled before looking at the broken cage. “But she suddenly got angry and pushed everything over. I know she didn't mean it, but now some of them have escaped.”

Jerome turned toward me.

His expression was filled with disappointment.

“Lori...” His voice was tired. “She was only trying to do something kind. Even if you didn't like it, you shouldn't have reacted this way.”

I slowly looked at him.

Kind?

Was this kindness?

I laughed bitterly.

“You know I'm terrified of rats,” I said, my voice cracking. “You know what happened to me during those three days. You know why I can't even look at them, so how can you stand there and call this kindness?”

His eyes shifted away for just a second.

Vivienne spoke again. “I know she didn't mean to break the cages, and I don't want to make a big deal out of this. But these animals are under my protection until they're transferred tomorrow.”

She looked at Jerome before smiling gently. “Maybe Lori should spend the night taking care of them. It'll teach her to stay calm before acting so impulsively, and she'll understand that these little animals aren't as frightening as she thinks.”

My eyes widened.

No. No. She couldn't be serious!