144
Desmond’s POV
The day had started with a glimmer of hope, however faint. I had driven to Miss Leila’s house, swallowing my pride to beg for mercy. I hated every moment of it—groveling before a woman who thrived on others’ misery. But I had no choice. My company was crumbling, my clients had abandoned me, and the penalty fees she demanded were far beyond what I could pay. Still, I had hoped that a sliver of humanity would emerge from her cold, calculating heart.
Her response, though, was a brutal reminder of the kind of person she truly was.
“No refunds, Desmond. And no, I won’t lower the penalty,” she had said with a twisted smile, arms crossed as if relishing my despair.
I had begged, my voice cracking with desperation, “Please, Miss Leila, just reduce it a little. I’ll fight to pay the rest. I just need a chance to save my company!”
Her expression didn’t falter. “That’s not my problem. You should have thought about this before you got yourself into this mess.”
I left her house, feeling humiliated and defeated. I had put everything into that collaboration—money, time, and effort—and she refused to even consider returning my investment. Driving back home, my mind spiraled into dark thoughts. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as rage bubbled under the surface.
“How dare she?” I muttered under my breath. “How dare she play with my life like this?”
The road blurred as tears stung my eyes. My chest felt heavy, as though the weight of failure was pressing down on me. I barely noticed the honking horns and screeching tires as I swerved recklessly through traffic, oblivious to the danger I posed to myself and others. It was only by sheer luck—or divine intervention—that I made it home in one piece.
When I pulled into the driveway, I sat in the car for a moment, my hands trembling. The two shots of whiskey I had taken at the bar hadn’t dulled the pain; they had only fueled my frustration. I stepped out, staggering slightly, the faint smell of alcohol wafting from my breath.
The front door swung open, and Brenda rushed out, her face a mixture of worry and relief. “Desmond!” she exclaimed, running toward me. “I heard what happened. Are you okay? I was so worried!”
She wrapped her arms around me, but I couldn’t bring myself to respond. My body felt like dead weight as she guided me inside.
“Why did you stay out all night?” she scolded gently, her brows furrowing as she looked up at me. “You left me alone in this house, worrying myself sick. Do you have any idea how empty it felt without you here?”
Her voice grated on my already frayed nerves. “Empty?” I snapped, pulling away from her. “You think I care about how you felt? Do you even know what I’m going through right now?”
Her eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly composed herself. “Desmond, I’m just trying to help. You’re not in this alone—”
“Not in this alone?” I interrupted, my voice rising. “Your plans worked, didn’t they? You’re happy now, aren’t you? Miss Leila won’t take me back, my company is falling apart, and it’s all because of you!”
“Me?” Brenda’s voice wavered, and she blinked back tears. “Desmond, what are you talking about? I haven’t done anything to hurt you!”
“Don’t lie to me!” I roared, standing up abruptly. “You’ve always hated her. You never wanted me to succeed with her, did you? Admit it, Brenda! You wanted this to happen!”
She hesitated, her lips trembling. Finally, she met my gaze, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Yes, I love you, Desmond,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve loved you for so long, and it kills me to see you with anyone else. I didn’t want her to be in your life. I wanted you to be mine.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. For a moment, I was too stunned to react. Then, rage consumed me.
“You told her, didn’t you?” I growled, advancing toward her. “You told her about Miranda’s death. That’s how she knew. You betrayed me!”
Brenda’s eyes widened in horror, and she stumbled back. “No, Desmond! I didn’t! I swear it wasn’t me! I promised I’d keep it a secret, and I have!”
“Liar!” I shouted, grabbing her by the shoulders. “You’ve threatened me with it before. Don’t think I’ve forgotten!”
“Desmond, please!” she pleaded, her voice breaking. “I didn’t tell her! I wouldn’t do that to you! You have to believe me!”
Her words only fueled my fury. In a blind rage, I shoved her against the wall, my hands tightening around her neck. She gasped for air, her eyes wide with fear.
“Admit it!” I snarled. “Admit that you ruined my life!”
Tears streamed down her face as she choked out, “It wasn’t me... Desmond... please...”
But I couldn’t stop. The room blurred as my grip tightened, her struggles weakening. My anger was a living, breathing thing, consuming every rational thought. Then, with one final shove, her head struck the corner of the coffee table.
The sickening thud snapped me out of my rage. Brenda lay motionless on the floor, blood pooling around her head.
“Oh my God,” I whispered, my hands trembling. “What have I done?”
I dropped to my knees, frantically checking for a pulse. Nothing. Her lifeless eyes stared back at me, accusing and empty.
Panic set in. My heart raced as I looked around the room, my mind scrambling for a solution. No one could find out about this. My secret couldn’t be exposed.
I moved quickly, dragging her body to my car. The weight of her felt heavier than I expected, or perhaps it was the weight of my guilt pressing down on me. Every sound seemed amplified—the crunch of gravel underfoot, the creak of the car door—as I shoved her into the trunk.
Driving to the river, my thoughts raced. What if someone saw me? What if they find her?
When I reached the riverbank, I pulled her out, avoiding looking at her face. She was just a body now—lifeless and cold. I threw her into the water, watching as the current carried her away.
I stood there for a moment, my chest heaving, the reality of what I’d done sinking in.
“You can’t expose my secrets and walk free,” I muttered, my voice hollow. “Never.”
As I drove away, the image of Brenda’s lifeless body haunted me. I had crossed a line I could never uncross. And deep down, I knew the worst was yet to come.