Chapter 244: Suicide Attack

Marisa POV

When Colin finally called to say the job was done, I felt a rush of excitement I hadn't experienced in years. The call was brief—just as I'd instructed. No details over the phone, just confirmation and a request to meet at our agreed location.

"It's finished," he'd said, his voice flat and professional. "I'll need the rest of my payment."

"Of course," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the thrill coursing through me. "The abandoned factory. Two hours."

I hung up and immediately began preparing. Looking back at the last month, I could hardly believe how perfectly everything had fallen into place.

After that mysterious caller reached out to me, I'd never heard from him again. But the three items he'd left me had proven incredibly useful: a black credit card with seemingly unlimited funds, a bank card loaded with enough cash to make me dizzy, and one with just a skull drawing and a phone number.

The first two cards were obviously for funding my operations. I understood that immediately. But the third card had puzzled me until I called the number and connected with Colin. A hitman. My anonymous benefactor had provided me with the ultimate weapon against Diana.

I'd met Colin in person just once, to establish the contract. I'd spun a heart-wrenching tale about how Diana had stolen my fiancé, destroyed my family's business, and had me committed to a psychiatric facility. The tears I shed were mostly genuine—though not for the reasons I claimed. Colin had seemed sympathetic, taking half his fee up front and promising results.

What I hadn't anticipated was how long it would take to eliminate one small, insignificant woman. Weeks had passed with nothing but status updates and excuses.

But now, finally, success. Diana was dead.

At the factory, I arrived early to prepare. The remaining payment sat ready in a slim briefcase beside me, my newly acquired handgun tucked discreetly into my designer purse. Why share the remaining funds when I could keep them for myself? After all, I would need resources to properly console Bradley after his tragic loss. The thought made me smile as I waited in the shadows.

Colin showed up right on time, moving with the smooth confidence of a hunter. We made small talk, then he handed me several glossy photos from his jacket pocket. And there she was—Diana—with her skull split open, blood pooling around her. The sight was absolutely perfect. My heart pounded with excitement as I studied each image before carefully tucking them into my purse.

"I want to apologize in advance," I said, my voice sweet as I reached into my purse. "But I'm afraid I won't be able to give you the rest of your money."

The gun felt heavy in my hand as I pointed it at him. His expression barely changed, just a slight narrowing of his eyes.

"That would be a mistake," he said calmly.

"I don't think so. Dead men don't need payment."

"You're assuming Diana is actually dead." His voice remained steady. "That photo? It's digitally altered. I never completed the job."

My finger froze on the trigger. "You're lying."

"Am I? Look closer at the photo."

I pulled out the photos again, scrutinizing the images more carefully. The blood pattern seemed... odd. And there was something about the angle of her head that didn't quite—

In that moment of distraction, Colin moved with lightning speed. The gun was wrenched from my hand, and I found myself on the ground, my arm twisted painfully behind me.

"Please," I gasped, my earlier confidence evaporating. "Take the money. It's all in the briefcase. Just take it and let me go!"

"Save it," Colin cut me off, applying more pressure to my arm. "There are people who want to speak with you."

The sound of footsteps echoed through the empty factory. I twisted my neck, straining to see who was coming.

"Hello, Marisa."

That voice. I knew that voice.

I looked up to see Diana and Bradley walking toward us, emerging from the shadows of the factory.

"No," I gasped, rage building inside me. "NO!"

My whole body shook with fury as I stared at Diana—the woman who should have been dead. All my careful planning, the money spent, the risks taken—all for nothing. I thrashed against Colin's hold, which only made him tighten his grip.

"You betrayed me," I spat at Colin, who remained silent.

Bradley stepped forward, his tall figure looming over me. His eyes, usually so warm when looking at Diana, had turned to chips of ice.

"That's enough," he said to Colin with a small nod. "Let her up, but watch her."

Colin eased his grip and helped me to my feet, keeping a firm hand on my arm. I straightened my clothes with as much dignity as I could muster, my mind racing to find a way out of this trap.

Bradley's voice was ice. "Where did you get the money to hire a professional killer? Who's helping you?"

A flicker of triumph rose within me. They didn't know about my benefactor. I had leverage.

"I have friends," I said, managing to stand as Colin loosened his grip. "Powerful friends you know nothing about. Kill me, and they'll come for you next."

Bradley's expression flickered with uncertainty. "What friends? Who else is involved in this?"

I summoned all the emotion I could. "It doesn't have to be this way. Leave her. Marry me instead. I'll call off my associates. We can forget this ever happened."

Bradley's laugh was short and cruel. "You think I would ever choose you? Over her? You're delusional, Marisa. Always have been."

"You don't understand what's at stake," I insisted, desperation rising. "I've loved you for years. She's nothing! A nobody who got lucky!"

"She's everything I never knew I needed," Bradley replied, his arm circling Diana's waist. "But even if Diana didn't exist, I still wouldn't want you. You disgust me."

All this time, I'd convinced myself it was Diana standing in my way. But the truth crashed down on me. I never had a chance. In his eyes, I wasn't even worthy of consideration.

My hand slipped into my pocket, finding the grenade I'd brought as my final insurance policy. I'd always known there was a chance things could go wrong. If I couldn't have my happy ending, I'd make sure none of them would either.

I began to laugh—softly at first, then growing into something wild and uncontrolled.

"Since we're all about to die anyway, I might as well let you die knowing the truth," I said between bursts of laughter. "I do have an accomplice. But I've never met him. I don't know who he is. Funny, isn't it, Diana? Someone out there hates you enough to finance your death. Hahahaha!"

"You're the only one who's going to die here," Bradley said, his voice hard.

I smiled, feeling strangely peaceful. "Is that so?"

With a quick movement, I pulled the grenade from my pocket and lunged toward them, watching their eyes widen in horror as they realized what I held in my outstretched hand.