Chapter 190 The Devil’s Bargain
The message came just after dawn. Annabelle sat on the edge of the narrow motel bed, her eyes fixed on the flickering laptop screen.
The email had no subject, no sender’s name—only a blinking attachment labeled “For You.”
She hesitated. Every instinct told her not to open it. It could be a trap, another attempt by Victoria’s men to trace her location. But something inside her whispered otherwise.
Her finger hovered over the mouse. Then, with a deep breath, she clicked.
The screen went black for two seconds. When it returned, words appeared in white text:
Annabelle, it’s me. Please don’t close this. I can help you.
Her heart stopped. Carson.
She froze, staring at the name she had once trusted with her heart—and who had broken it without mercy.
The message continued, line after line:
I know you hate me. You should. But listen to me before you decide. Mother is planning something bigger. She wants you gone, and anyone who helped you will follow. I can’t stop her alone. I have proof, real proof, that can destroy her. But I need your help too.
Her fingers trembled. She could almost hear his voice, soft, pleading, like the old days when his eyes still held warmth.
Then another message appeared.
Meet me. Tonight. One chance. I swear, Annabelle, I’m not your enemy.
Annabelle sat back, staring at the words. The air in the room felt heavy, pressing down on her chest. She had spent sleepless nights hating him, replaying his confession until it burned in her memory. And now, he wanted to meet.
She closed the laptop, her pulse hammering.
Could this be real? Could he truly be turning against his mother? Or was this just another trap—Victoria’s final move?
A soft knock startled her. She grabbed a small kitchen knife from the nightstand and crept toward the door.
“Who is it?” she whispered.
“It’s me,” a voice said. “Martha. The cleaning lady.”
Annabelle opened the door slightly. The old woman smiled kindly. “Just checking if you need towels.”
“No,” Annabelle said quickly. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
When the woman left, Annabelle leaned against the door and exhaled. She couldn’t stay here much longer. They would find her soon.
She opened her laptop again and typed a reply.
Where and when?
A few minutes passed. Then, his response came.
The old pier. Midnight. No one else.
Annabelle stared at the words for a long time. Midnight. The pier was abandoned, surrounded by warehouses and dark water. If she went, she might never come back. But if she didn’t, she might lose the only chance to stop Victoria.
By the time the clock struck eleven, she was already outside, hidden beneath a black hoodie. The city was quiet, wrapped in mist. Every car headlight made her flinch.
When she reached the pier, the air smelled of salt and rust. The water slapped gently against the wooden posts. A single figure stood near the edge.
Carson.
He turned slowly when he heard her footsteps. His face was pale, thinner than before, eyes tired and full of something she couldn’t name—guilt, maybe fear.
“Annabelle,” he said softly. “You came.”
She kept her distance. “You said you could help me. Talk.”
He swallowed. “I know you don’t trust me. You shouldn’t. I failed you. But I swear, I didn’t know how deep she’d go. My mother—she’s worse than you think. She’s planning to move all her assets overseas, erase every record, and silence anyone who can expose her.”
Annabelle folded her arms. “Why should I believe you? You lied before. You watched me suffer.”
His face twisted. “I was scared. You think I wasn’t? She controlled everything—my company, my money, my life. When I tried to pull away, she threatened to destroy you. I thought staying quiet would keep you safe.”
“Safe?” Annabelle hissed. “You let her ruin my father!”
“I know!” His voice cracked. “And I’ll never forgive myself for it. But please—listen. I can fix this. I have files—contracts, hidden bank accounts, recordings of her meetings. They’re enough to end her.”
“Then give them to me.”
He looked down. “They’re on a secure drive. Locked in her private vault. I can’t access it alone. But with your help, I can.”
Annabelle stepped closer, eyes narrowed. “Why me? You could go to the police.”
He shook his head. “They’re already bought. She has people everywhere. But you—she doesn’t expect you to strike back.”
The silence stretched between them, thick and cold. The waves crashed softly below.
Annabelle studied his face. There was sincerity there—or the perfect imitation of it.
“Why now?” she asked quietly.
“Because I’m done being her puppet,” he said. “And because I can’t stand what I did to you.” His voice broke slightly. “If you never forgive me, I understand. But help me stop her before it’s too late.”
She wanted to scream. To tell him it was too late already. But something in his eyes—raw, desperate—made her hesitate.
“What if this is a trap?” she whispered.
He stepped closer, holding out a small flash drive. “Then take this. It’s everything I could get without her knowing. Proof that I’m not lying.”
She took it, her hand brushing his. It was cold. Her heart pounded painfully.
“Annabelle,” he said softly, “you’re the only one strong enough to face her. I can’t do it alone.”
She pulled her hand back. “You chose her over me once. Don’t expect me to do it again.”
“I know,” he said. “But you have nothing left to lose now. Neither do I.”
She stared at the flash drive, her reflection glinting on its silver surface. Inside could be her salvation—or her death.
After a long silence, she slipped it into her pocket. “If you’re lying, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
“I’m not,” he said, his voice low. “And Annabelle… be careful. She’s already watching.”
Her eyes darted around, but the pier was empty. Just the sound of water and wind. When she looked back, Carson was gone.
Only his footprints remained on the damp wood.
Annabelle stood there, heart racing, clutching the flash drive like a weapon. The air felt colder now, heavier. Somewhere in the darkness, she knew Victoria was still pulling the strings.
But for the first time, Annabelle had something she didn’t before—hope.
And a new fear.
Because to bring down the devil, she might have to make a deal with one.