Chapter 156

Third Person POV.

Marlene sat across from the detective in the cold, sterile interrogation room, anticipation coursing through her veins. The corners of her lips curled into a sinister smile, a reflection of the satisfaction that pulsed through her being.

She couldn't help but revel in the memory of seeing tears glisten in Amber's eyes after she had pulled the trigger, forever altering her life.

Every fiber of her being tingled with a sense of fulfillment, as she had finally claimed a victory over Amber. In Marlene's twisted mind, Richard's death would symbolize a triumph for her. It was a way to level the playing field and snatch away something that Amber considered to be the most important thing in her life.

She hungered to hear the confirmation of her newest desire—that Richard was lying six feet under, irrevocably gone from this world.

Detective Garcia sat across from Marlene, his patience gradually wearing thin with each passing moment. Her hysterical laughter echoed through the interrogation room, a sound that grated on his nerves. He had hoped that interrogating her would be quick and easy since there was already clear evidence of her crimes, but Marlene's unnecessary laughter and refusal to cooperate frustrated him to no end.

With an expression of annoyance etched on his face, Detective Garcia tapped the table in front of him to redirect Marlene's attention. He needed her focus so that he could wrap this up once and for all and throw her in jail for good.

"Mrs. Black," he said sharply. "Don't you think it's enough with the laughter? Just because I'm being calm with you, even when you don't deserve it, doesn't mean things can't take a turn, Marlene. Now, I need you to answer my questions, starting with why you stabbed your husband, Kayden Black."

Marlene's laughter abruptly ceased, replaced with a cold stare directed towards the detective. The intensity in her eyes sent a chill down Detective Garcia's spine. It was as if Marlene was sizing him up, testing his resolve.

"Why are you still asking such a stupid question, detective?" Marlene retorted. "Anyone with half a mind can see why I did it. Why waste your time?"

Detective Garcia let out a sigh of exasperation. "Because in this line of work, we need evidence, motive, and a clear understanding of what transpired. It's already clear that you're responsible, but I want to know what pushed you to take such a drastic measure."

Marlene leaned back in her chair, a wicked smile at the corners of her mouth. "Do you really think I'm going to simply tell you everything I had in mind, Detective? You insult me, sir."

Detective Garcia's eyes rolled in exasperation, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. Marlene's dismissive attitude got on his nerves, further complicating an already obvious case. He leaned forward, his voice tinged with impatience.

"Marlene, I need to understand the full context of what transpired between you and Mr. Black. Did he pose a threat to your life? Did he perhaps try to harm you?"

"If you already knew that he had tried to harm me, why are you still asking me the reason behind stabbing him? Don't you already know the answer?" Marlene responded.

Detective Garcia's brows furrowed as he processed Marlene's words. "Are you insinuating that your husband, Kayden, had indeed attempted to harm you, and you stabbed him out of self-defense?"

Marlene scoffed, her demeanor defiant, as she dismissed the notion that she was desperate and weak when she stabbed Kayden. "Don't you dare make me into some weak, defenseless woman, Detective. Kayden tried to kill me, yes, but I didn't stab him because I was trying to defend myself from him. I had very clear intentions when I walked into his house and office, so don't make it seem like I was just lucky to stab him first."

Detective Garcia leaned back in his chair, studying Marlene's demeanor intently. He pressed on, his voice measured. "Tell me then, Marlene. What were your intentions? Why did you have to stab him if it's not because he tried to harm you?"

Marlene's eyes held a burning intensity as she responded to the detective's question. "I stabbed him because he betrayed me," she said. "That's all you need to know. What I need to know is how Richard Romero is doing. Is he dead?"

Detective Garcia frowned, his frustration mounting at Marlene's evasion of his inquiries. "And why is it so important for you to know about Mr. Romero’s condition? Haven't you already done your worst?"

Marlene let out a dismissive scoff. "Can you not tell why I'm asking? Since you already know I've done my worst, just tell me the truth. Is he still alive or not?"

Detective Garcia's brows furrowed even further. He sensed the desperation in Marlene's voice, her insistence on knowing Richard Romero's state of being. "Why do you need to know? Would you try to kill him again if it turns out that you failed?"

A shadow of frustration crossed Marlene's face, her voice tinged with annoyance. "Just tell me!" she snapped, her patience reaching its limits.

Before Detective Garcia could respond, another detective entered the room and called for Detective Garcia to step outside for a moment. With a wary glance at Marlene, Detective Garcia excused himself, leaving her alone in the interrogation room.

Marlene's heart raced, her mind filled with uncertainty and anticipation. She needed to know about Richard Romero’s condition. His fate was the key to her twisted sense of satisfaction and the final puzzle piece.

Marlene had expected Detective Garcia to return to the interrogation room and continue their strained conversation. But as the moments stretched on and there was no sign of his return, she started to wonder why she was still here and not back in her cell.

To her relief, she noticed that the door was about to be opened. She had been expecting to see the detective, but her eyes widened when two women in nursing uniforms walked in, their presence both unexpected and confusing. Her mind raced to make sense of the sudden turn of events.

Before Marlene could gather her thoughts or voice her questions, the nurses rushed toward her, their movements swift. One nurse quickly approached her from behind, grasping Marlene's shoulders and forcefully pinning her down to the chair, immobilizing her with surprising strength.

A surge of panic coursed through Marlene's veins. "What is happening? Who are you?" she demanded.

The second nurse swiftly pulled out an injection, much to Marlene's horror.

Her mind whirled with fear and confusion as she attempted to scream for help, but her instincts told her that the detectives were also in on this unexpected turn of events since it would be impossible for the nurses to get in here without them knowing.

No matter how she thrashed and fought against her restraints, it seemed futile against the overwhelming force of the two nurses.

As the injection penetrated her skin, an icy rush coursed through Marlene's veins. She thrashed even harder, her attempts to break free growing more desperate with each passing second.

To her further confusion, the nurse holding her down abruptly released her grip as soon as the injection was administered. Panic clouded Marlene's thoughts, her body aching from the struggle against her restraints. Her senses blurred, leaving her disoriented.

With a surge of adrenaline, she attempted to push herself upright, but before she could gather her bearings, a wave of dizziness hit her, sending her crashing back down to the cold, unforgiving floor.

"Wh-what did you do to me?" Marlene choked out as darkness closed in around her. "What did you inject…?"

But her words were lost in the void as her consciousness slipped away.

***

Marlene's eyes fluttered open, and a wave of disorientation washed over her as she took in her surroundings. With each breath, a sense of confinement settled in, and it felt as though she was trapped in a small, claustrophobic box.

Her heart pounded against her chest, and she shook off the remnants of grogginess. The realization of her predicament sent a shiver down her spine. Although she could stand on her feet, her movements were limited, restricted by the confining space she was in.

Fear mingled with curiosity as Marlene braced herself against the walls, her fingertips grazing the cold, unforgiving surface. Panic began to claw at her composure, steadily turning her anxiety into desperation.

Determined to find an escape, Marlene attempted to call for help and scream out. But before a single word could escape her lips, a chilling sensation coursed through her body. Water seeped onto the floor, slowly rising and encircling her feet.

The realization hit her like a jolt of electricity. It was as though a presence—an unseen presence—knew her thoughts and preemptively silenced her attempts to cry for help. Marlene's voice hitched in her throat, her fear eclipsing the need to know what was happening.

She strained to comprehend the source of the water; her senses were hypersensitive to every ripple. Was it a leak? Was someone trying to drown her alive? She wondered.

Panic clawed at her mind as the water rose higher and higher, the icy water closing in around her.

In a desperate bid to survive, Marlene struggled to keep her head above water, thrashing wildly against the rising flood. But her efforts were futile, her strength waning with each passing second as the water increased.

With a final gasp for air, Marlene felt the cold water engulf her, swallowing her whole, and her consciousness fading into nothingness.