Chapter 9
It all started a week ago when I ran into Gabriel outside my office.
FREER
Three years in prison had drained him of all his former strength. He looked drained, a shadow of the man he once was:
The moment he saw me, he rushed over and grabbed my hand.
‘Amy, how can you be so heartless? Do you know how shattered I was when I found out you were determined to divorce me? I thought the punishment I endured would make you forgive me, but you still won’t.
“Amy, every moment of these past three years, I’ve been thinking of you. I was wrong back then. I know it. Please, forgive me. I promise I’ll treat you right from now on. Give me one more chance.”
I pulled my hand back coldly, shattering his illusions in an instant. “Impossible. Walk away, and don’t come looking for me again.
“Last I heard, Angelica was released a few days ago. Didn’t you use to like her? And as for her accidentally causing your mother’s death, you already took revenge three years ago. Since your grudge is cleared and your feelings remain, go to her.”
Gabriel, however, said, “Amy, you know I’ve only ever had feelings for you from the start. Why say things in anger? I never liked Angelica; it was just a fling. Come on. Don’t be upset with me.”
I sneered at him. “Stop flattering yourself. Why would I be upset with you?”
A flicker of hurt crossed his eyes. He didn’t give up. Over the next few
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days, he showed up at my side in ways I never expected. But I kept feeling -maybe it was just my imagination–that someone was watching me from the shadows.
Turns out, it wasn’t my imagination. That day, just as I entered the office, I received a threatening text.
“Your mother’s in my hands. If you want her alive, come to the rooftop of your company. Alone.”
My heart raced. Sweat poured from my palms as I stumbled toward the stairs. By chance, I ran into Gabriel outside the office. Seeing my panic, he followed closely behind.
On the rooftop, Mom was being held at knifepoint. It took me a moment, but I recognized the assailant,
It was Angelica.
Her eyes were wild, and the moment she saw me, they burned with pure hatred. “Amelia, I can’t believe you’re still haunting me after three years! Didn’t I tell you to stay away from Gabriel? Did you think my warning was just chatter?”
I trembled all over, forcing myself to stay calm and reason with her. “Angelica, put the knife down. We can talk. I promise I’ll agree to anything you want.”
She laughed maniacally. “Fine. I want you to jump from here. The moment I see you die, your mother walks away unharmed. I’ll count to three. If you still hesitate, she dies.”
I couldn’t believe how insane she had become. My mind went blank.
“Three…”
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Before I could react, she started counting.
“Two…”
I followed my instincts, stepping forward, one step away from certain death.
“One!”
I closed my eyes, ready to meet my fate.
Just then, a voice shouted from behind. “No!”
It was Gabriel.
Seeing me in imminent danger, he couldn’t hold back.
Angelica’s eyes lit up at the sight of him, but in that split second, I lunged for Mom and tried to pull her away from Angelica.
But just as I finally managed to pull us away, Angelica reacted too. Her eyes were wild, and she seemed determined to take us both down with her.
EH
Time seemed to slow. In those few seconds, it felt like we were trapped in a nightmare. I thought I would die alongside Mom, but in the nick of time, Gabriel sprang into action.
He grabbed Angelica and, in the next instant, they both plummeted from the rooftop like disconnected kites. There was a slight cushion along the way, but falling dozens of floors was enough to kill her instantly.
When I reached the ground, Gabriel was barely alive. He stretched out his hand toward me with his last ounce of strength. “A–Amy… I… Since I got out, I’ve wanted to tell you something…..”
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I leaned closer and heard him whisper an apology. Before I could respond, his eyes closed forever.
I watched as Gabriel was carried away on a stretcher, covered in a white sheet.
Tears finally fell as I said, “Fine. I forgive you. If there’s another life, live a happy life with Angelica.”
The past faded like smoke. From now on, I would only look forward, leaving the past behind.
The end.
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