106
Miranda/Laila’s POV
They thought they knew everything, but I will show them they don’t. My stepmom, my stepsister, and even Mr. Williams—they planned it all to ensure I’d be molested. Foolish of them to forget I had other plans.
Flashback...
I was in my room, dressing up for the party. The crimson gown I wore clung to me perfectly, and I was just fastening a delicate gold chain around my neck when I overheard voices coming from Mara’s room. My hands froze, and I moved closer to the door, careful not to make a sound.
“That drunk fool better go to room 101,” Mara said, her voice sharp and commanding. “Do you hear me? Room 101. Not 102. That’s my room. I don’t want any mistakes, Williams. If he messes this up, everything will fall apart!”
I stood frozen for a second, her words sinking in like daggers. My heart thudded heavily, but a smirk soon spread across my face. They thought I was clueless, helpless even. They thought wrong.
I crept back to my vanity, my mind already forming a plan. As I applied my lipstick, I glanced at the tiny packet of sleeping pills in my drawer. My fingers brushed over it, and a mischievous grin tugged at my lips.
Later that evening, I passed by the kitchen and spotted Mara’s glass of wine on the counter. She was out in the backyard, arguing with Mr. Williams. Perfect. My fingers worked quickly, slipping two pills into her glass before stirring it with a toothpick. She’d never know what hit her.
At the party, I could feel their eyes watching me, studying my every move. Mr. Williams approached me with a wide grin, his breath reeking of deceit. “You look lovely tonight,” he said, holding out a glass of champagne.
I took it but didn’t drink. “Why, thank you, Mr. Williams. Such a grand evening.”
He nodded, clearly pleased with himself. Little did he know, I wasn’t the naive girl he believed me to be. I pretended to sip my drink and staggered slightly, clutching my head for effect. “I feel... dizzy,” I murmured, my voice slurring just enough.
“Oh dear,” Mr. Williams said, his false concern barely masking his glee. “We need to get you to a room to rest. Someone, help her!”
A waitress guided me toward the elevator. I played my part, swaying slightly and mumbling incoherently. But as soon as the elevator doors closed, my dizziness disappeared. By the time I reached room 101, I was fully alert, waiting for the next phase of my plan to unfold.
Flashback ends...
I stood up from the bed in room 101, my smirk never leaving my face. As I slipped out through the connecting door, I made my way to Mara’s room—room 102. My phone camera was already recording.
The man stumbled into the room, his voice slurring. “Hello, my beautiful peaches,” he said with a sickening grin, closing the door behind him.
Mara was fast asleep, just as I’d planned. The pills worked perfectly. I stood silently by the doorway, capturing every vile second on camera. His hands roamed, his words disgusting.
I felt a pang of disgust but didn’t falter. They wanted me to be the victim tonight, to be humiliated. But Mara was their sacrificial lamb instead.
Back home, I found my stepmother lounging on the couch, a glass of wine in hand. She turned toward me, her face pale as though she’d seen a ghost.
“You’re back?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
I smiled sweetly. “Of course, stepmother. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Her wine glass shook in her hand. “What... What did you do?”
I tilted my head, feigning innocence. “Me? Whatever do you mean?”
Her voice rose. “What have you done to Mara!?”
I took a slow step closer, savoring the fear on her face. “Oh, nothing much. I passed by her room on my way out. Room 102, wasn’t it? You might want to check on her.”
Her eyes widened in horror. “Mara? What’s going on!?”
“Oh, I think she got into a little trouble. Nothing major—just a small incident with a married man. His wife caught them, if I recall correctly. Quite the scene, really. You should’ve been there.” I smiled, watching the color drain from her face.
“You’re lying!” she screamed, leaping to her feet.
I shrugged. “Why don’t you go see for yourself? Room 102. That’s where it all happened.”
She pushed past me, grabbing her coat and rushing out the door. I laughed softly, shaking my head at her stupidity. Did they really think I’d let them win?
I sat on the couch, pulling out my phone. The video played on the screen, and satisfaction bloomed in my chest as I watched the chaos unfold in Mara’s room.
At the hotel, Mara sat on the edge of the bed, tears streaming down her face. Her once-pristine makeup was smudged, and bruises marred her arms. The man buttoned his shirt, smirking at her.
“You were delightful, sweetheart,” he sneered. “Don’t forget to call me later.”
“Get out, you monster!” Mara screamed, throwing a pillow at him.
He laughed. “Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy it, darling. I saw the way you—”
“Get out!” she screamed again, this time hurling a glass at his head. It missed by inches, shattering against the wall.
The man shrugged, his grin never faltering. “Suit yourself.” He grabbed his coat and left, leaving Mara sobbing on the bed.
Moments later, my stepmother burst into the room, her eyes darting between Mara and the disheveled sheets. “What happened?” she demanded.
“It was supposed to be her!” Mara wailed, pointing toward the door. “It wasn’t supposed to be me!”
“Her?” Stepmother hissed. “Laila?”
Mara nodded, tears streaming down her face. “She knew! She knew everything!”
Stepmother’s face twisted in rage as she stormed out of the room, heading straight for home.
I was still sitting on the couch when she returned. She stormed into the living room, her face red with fury.
“You conniving little—”
I cut her off with a laugh. “Oh, come now, Stepmother. Don’t be so dramatic. You and Mara got exactly what you deserved.”
“You think this is over?” she hissed, her voice low and venomous.
“Oh, I know it’s not,” I said, standing to face her. “But you should know by now—I always win.”