Chapter 28 CHAPTER 28: DID YOU DO IT?
Erica’s POV
“Who died?” I asked the moment I sank into the chair. Dr. Ethan took off his glasses and pressed his hands together as if bracing himself.
“Miss… don’t worry. Jolie and Emily are alive, but their conditions are critical.” Relief flooded me then Jaxon’s words cut through my chest: someone had died.
“The parents,” Dr. Ethan continued softly. “The family’s parents didn’t survive. The children, both injured badly, they are stable for now. Their vitals are okay. They’ll be unconscious for a week or two, but they should pull through.”
My mouth parted to say something, anything, but I swallowed it back. How long until they are wake? I could find a home for those kids once they did? My fists clenched. Jolie and Emily, how could this happen?
My anger flared hot and ugly. Giselle. That bitch. I stood before I realized it, a small, cold smile pulling at my lips.
“Thank you, doctor. I want Jolie and Emily moved to private wards with security. No visitors. And don’t publish their condition or location,” I said, voice low and steady. Dr. Ethan adjusted his glasses and gave me a calm, professional nod.
“They’re in good hands, Miss Erica.”
As I left his office, Jaxon grabbed my shoulder, voice hard and flat. “You must avenge Jolie,” he said. I’d never seen him like that, his usual flirtatious grin gone. The pain in his eyes was real. I pulled him into a hug; he squeezed me back like a lifeline. Behind him, Diva watched from the doorway, expression unreadable.
“I’ll go see her now,” Jaxon whispered, and he left. I faced Diva.
“Your phone?” I asked.
She handed it over without a word. I typed in a number and called.
“I heard about Jolie and Emily. Are you okay? What about the production....Love and Pleasure. Its starts in a few months,” the voice said. I let out a short laugh that tasted like glass.
“And Giselle?” I asked.
“She’s been texting nonstop, trying to steal Emily’s spot. She’s shameless,” the voice spat. My grip tightened until the phone creaked.
“If she wants the role so badly… give it to her.” I smiled in a way that felt like frost.
“What? But the role’s reserved for Emily, how can you just..?” Nine protested. Nine was my hacker; she handled my dirt and my data.
“Let’s see how far she’ll go to get it,” I said. I looked at Diva. My eyes cut dark.
“Don’t let her get it easily. Make her work for it. Or break her trying,” I said. Nine agreed and hung up. I deleted the number and turned to Diva.
“Do you know how to kill someone?” I asked, cold.
Diva’s lips curled into a slow, dangerous grin. “So who do I get to toy with?” she asked.
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APARTMENT 7A
I knocked on the door for the tenth time. No answer, while Diva smoked, her eyes on me.
“Break the door,” I said.
“You’re bossy. I answer to no one but Aaron,” she muttered, then flicked the ash. I hated cigarettes; I snatched it out of her hand.
“Remember who you’re talking to. I can end you.” I was not joking.
“Yes, master,” she said sarcastically and kicked the door open. I stepped in.
Freya huddled under blankets, shaking. “I didn’t mean to... didn’t—” she sobbed. The room was a mess....vases shattered, clothes torn. Her finger was raw from biting.
My chest tightened. The images of Jolie and Emily on hospital beds flashed behind my eyes. Freya looked up as if she’d seen a ghost and bolted. Diva chased after her.
There was no hurry, not really; time had become a raw, pulsing thing I could savor.
I picked up Freya’s phone. It was unlocked. Messages from Giselle glared at me:
“Did you really cut the brakes?”
“Did you do it?”
“Bitch, pick up. The next time I come to your house I’ll throw you off the roof myself.”
Freya’s frantic whisper....“I didn’t do it!” hung in my ears. I pocketed the phone and rifled until a small notebook slid into my hand: a diary.
Pages scrawled with desperate lines.
“I have to escape her. Anyone, please...” 12th 2015.
“Please help me. I have blood on my hands. She won’t let me go. I’m trapped.” 30th 2019.
Giselle had been uglier, nastier than I imagined. She didn’t just bully, she destroyed. My lips curled. Sweet. The world could be more painful for her.....I would give Giselle a benefiting death!
On the stairs below, Diva had Freya pinned; the girl’s face was raw from crying.
“She won’t let me live,” Freya whispered when I crouched before her. She clutched at my hands. “She took everything. She made me do things. I couldn’t say no. She filmed us. She stripped my sister and made her dance, everyone watched. My sister… she couldn’t take it. She jumped.”
My throat closed. The names piled up....victims I hadn’t known of. Freya’s voice trembled as she continued: “They burned my mother’s restaurant after my sister was shamed. But there was a witness Celena....yet she didn't speak, I hated her, but she was also a victim she died too by their hands!"
The room tilted for a moment. My jaw clenched until it hurt. I swallowed hard trying to fight back the scenes that flashed in my heart and head.
“You’ll get your revenge,” I said softly. “I will make them pay.”
Freya’s tear-filled eyes searched mine, hope and terror warring there. “Others have said this yet....They worship her,” she said. “Why are you different?”
I leaned close, fingers on her chin. “I bow to no one,” I said. “I am the Billionairess Devil.” The words surprised me with how right they felt.
She told me what she knew then, names, dates, small cruel details. Seven of them.....Aaron had spoken of that many. My mind raced. Five others, were they involved? Was Giselle and Carter not the only one behind this!
Diva’s voice cut through, sharp yet composed. “Erica—we have company. Someone’s coming.”
We were not alone.