Amber’s Pov

Jason’s face was a mask of fury. He stepped into the room and his voice cut the air. “Where is my son?” he demanded.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I snapped.

He laughed, hard and ugly. “Don’t lie to me. There is evidence on the CCTV cameras showing that you took him out of the house. You hated Chloe for your dead son. You wanted to kill hers too. You took him.”

“I didn’t touch him, Jason. I swear—”

Jane moaned and opened her eyes. She looked at me with fear. Her mouth trembled, but her words were a whisper. “Amber… what’s going on…”

But before I could answer, Jason stalked forward and grabbed her chin roughly.

“If you don’t tell me where my son is, I will make you regret it.” His voice was cold.

“Jason, let my sister go, I didn't touch your son,” my voice trembled as I stared at Jane’s terrified face.

Jane started crying. “Amber, help me, please… he's hurting me…”

Her voice sounded so small. My whole body wanted to jump between them and fight.

At that second Chloe burst through the door, acting like a woman about to faint. She fell to her knees and clutched at my hand, tears flooding her face.

“Please,” she sobbed loudly. “Amber, please… give Julius back. I’ll die if you don’t. Kill me instead. Take my life, just bring my son back.”

Chloe’s tears made my skin crawl. I wanted to slap her senseless and tell her to cut the act especially when I saw the smug grin on her face but I held back because Jason had my sister.

Jason’s eyes flared. He turned to his men. “Take her sister out. Make her talk.”

My hands flew to Jane. “What are you doing?” I screamed.

The men moved in. Two of them grabbed my arms and pinned me down. I thrashed and kicked, but there were too many of them.

Jason stepped close and leaned into my face. “Since you won’t confess, maybe seeing her suffer will loosen your tongue,” he said softly. “Maybe then you’ll tell me where my son is.”

They dragged Jane out by her hair. I screamed and pulled, but the men were strong. Jane’s legs scraped the floor. Her sobs echoed in the room.

Then the men started hitting her. Blows, kicks, and her cries mingled together. It was horrifying watching the blood on her body and hearing the sound, I almost went crazy.

“Stop! Stop!” I yelled. “Please, please don’t… Jason I don't know where your son is! How can you be this heartless? She's just a child. Please stop!”

“Jason, please! Don’t hurt her. It won’t bring Julius back. It won’t help,” Chloe suddenly begged even though her eyes still had that victorious smirk.

Jason didn’t listen. “Not until Amber tells me where my son is!”

The blows kept coming. I could hear Jane’s voice break, small sounds turning into nothing. I clawed at the men holding me.

“Let me go!” I screamed.

Finally there was a sickening silence. Then a heavy thud. I heard a faint gurgle. Jane’s moans slowed. I felt my world tilt.

They released her and I saw her clearly. Her face was swollen and purple. Blood pooled at the corner of her mouth. She could not focus. Her eyes were glassy. She whispered something and then slumped. Her breathing grew shallow. She was barely with us.

“No!” I lunged. I tried to catch her head, but my wrists were tied. One of Jason’s men shoved me back.

Jason turned away, angry and cold. “You’re wasting my time,” he said, “Why won’t you confess, Amber? Do you like seeing your sister suffer?”

“I don't know where Julius is, please stop, you'll kill her,” I sobbed.

He turned to Chloe. “You wanted corneas for your experiment, right?”

My blood froze. I felt the ground disappear.

“No,” I croaked. “You can’t. She's just a child —”

He cut me off. “I’m not a monster, Amber, I won’t touch your sister, it’s your mother. That old cow has lived long enough, don't you think? Or will you tell me where my son is now so I can spare her?”

“I didn't take your son, Jason, stop this madness!” I screamed.

“You won’t confess? Fine,” He pulled out his phone and barked an order. “Doctor, prepare the OR. Take her corneas. Start now.”

His men pushed me down a chair and shoved a phone into my face. They showed me a live video feed from the hospital OR.

My mother lay on the table, tubes in her nose, her hand pale under the light. Doctors were preparing instruments. The sound of a monitor beep raced in my ears.

“No! Stop that camera—” I screamed.

I scrubbed at my eyes and pounded on the table. “You can’t do this. Please. She’s sick. You’ll kill her.”

Jason yanked my hair, “Just watch, Amber. Watch what happens when you refuse to cooperate.”

I begged. I shouted. I clawed at their arms. I tried to break free. But my body was weak and the room closed in.

Then a man burst in and yelled, “We found Julius! He’s in one of Amber’s cars. He was locked inside. He’s alive but barely, he almost suffocated.”

Jason spun on him, “Where is he? Bring him here now. Doctor, do everything! Save my son!” Jason roared.

All at once the men and the doctors obeyed him. Nurses rushed away from my phone feed. The live image of my mother’s surgery was cut off. The room emptied. They ran out to save his son.

“Wait!” I cried. “My mother—she—” but my voice was swallowed by the rush of shoes on the floor.

The monitor on my mother’s feed started to falter. I realized in my chest that they had left the surgery mid-cut. The sound went flat in the feed. I watched with bare horror as the line on the monitor slowed.

“No—” I whispered.

I staggered to my feet, banging at the door. “Please! Someone! Come back!”

They did not. The paramedics ran past with Julius. Jason followed them like a shadow.

The live feed showed the operating room in frozen detail. The monitor’s beeps slowed, then paused. The screen went empty.

My mother’s heart stopped. I heard a sound then the flatline. It felt like a punch to the ribs. My legs gave out.

I sank to the floor and could only stare at the lifeless body of my mother on the live feed and the unconscious bruised battered body of my sister before me.

My face went numb. It felt like someone rewired me to nothing. I could not move. I could not breathe. The world had narrowed to one point: my dead mother and my bloody sister.

My phone buzzed. A simple message lit the screen. It was the lawyer. Divorce papers sent. Found a loophole.

Amber’s Pov

It had been three days since my mother died. Three days since I watched her heart stop on that screen.

I hadn’t left the hospital since then. I couldn’t. Not while Jane lay motionless, her face swollen, tubes running from her nose, machines keeping her alive.

The doctors had told me the truth in quiet voices. They didn’t know if she would ever recover. The beating had caused internal bleeding in her brain. She might never wake up.

I sat by her bed, my fingers wrapped around her cold hand. I whispered to her every night. I told her I was sorry. I told her to fight. But she never moved.

My phone buzzed. I wiped my eyes and picked it up.

“Princess,” a voice said. It was Roy.

His tone was firm, “Are you ready to leave? Do you have the divorce papers? I gave you seven days. Your time will be up tomorrow.”

I pressed my lips together, staring at Jane’s pale face. “I’ll be ready,” I whispered. “By tomorrow. I’m almost done gathering all the evidence I need.”

“Good. I’ll be waiting, Princess, I hope you keep your words,” Roy said and the line went dead.

I sighed and dropped the phone onto the bed. I kissed Jane’s forehead. “I’ll fix this, I promise.”

The door creaked open. My heart leapt, thinking it was a doctor. But instead, Jason walked in.

I stood, my hands balling into fists. “What do you want? Haven’t you done enough?”

He stopped in the middle of the ward. His face softened, as he let out a sigh, “Amber,” he said, “I didn’t mean for things to go this far.”

I laughed bitterly. “You killed my mother. You almost killed my sister. That’s your idea of not going too far?”

He rubbed his forehead. “You pushed me. You made me snap. I tried to be nice, but you hurt Chloe. You made her lose our baby. And then you kidnapped Julius… I lost control. What did you expect me to do?”

I ignored him and looked away but he kept talking.

“I know how much you love me, Amber, and I know you acted out of jealousy now. It’s alright, I forgive you.”

The audacity of this asshole to think everything is about him!

“I’ll give your mother a befitting burial. I’m arranging the best brain surgeon for Jane. She’ll recover and everything will be fine.”

“I care for you, Amber,” Jason continued, stepping closer. “I know you love me and you don't want us to be apart. That's why you fought your family years ago to be with me which is why I want us to live in peace. You can even look after Julius like he’s your son.”

My stomach churned but I swallowed the bile rising in my throat and forced a small nod.

I let my face soften. “I’m glad you apologized,” I said quietly. “I’m sorry too. For kidnapping Julius. I was upset and jealous, I wasn’t thinking straight. You know I love you too much.”

His eyes flickered with relief and a smug smile.

“I prepared a document,” I continued. “I transferred all the shares in my late son’s name to Julius. A way to apologize… for the trauma he went through.”

I pulled out the folder and slid it across the table. Jason grabbed it with greedy hands. He didn’t even stop to read it. His pen scratched the paper. His eyes shone as he signed his name.

“Good,” he said with a smile. “This is good. I can’t wait to share the news with Chloe. She’s here already, she got reinstated as resident surgeon because of the video you made.”

I watched him strut out of the room, whistling under his breath.

When the door closed, I scoffed. I pulled the folder back and flipped the page.

The bold title of the document stared back at me: Divorce Certificate.

I had hidden it beneath the false paper of transfer. Jason, in his greed, had signed away his marriage.

I pressed the paper to my chest and laughed bitterly. “Stupid bastard.”

I kissed Jane’s forehead. “I have to go do something important. I’ll be back soon.”

I left the hospital quietly.

—

When I got to the house, everything was quiet. No one was home. I went straight to my bedroom and pulled out bags. I packed clothes, important documents, jewelry, everything that was mine.

Then I gathered the marriage pictures. The frames. The wedding gifts. The things Jason had ever given me over the years. I carried them outside to the fire pit and lit a match.

The flames licked the air. It felt good finally getting rid of all the lies.

When it was done, I went to Jason’s study. I pressed in Chloe’s birthday. The safe clicked open.

Stacks of documents filled the space. I searched quickly. My fingers shook as I pulled out the two files I had been hunting.

As I slid them into my bag, another file caught my eye. My mother’s name was on it.

My heart skipped. I pulled it out. It was a consent form. A hospital document stating she had agreed to participate in an unauthorized medical drug testing.

But the signature wasn’t hers. Jason had signed it.

My knees buckled. I sank against the desk, the words blurring in my vision. Jason had given Chloe permission to use my mother as a test subject for her new drug.

A drug that caused side effects. A drug that triggered her heart attack and caused her to fall from the top floor. A drug that pushed her into a coma.

I pressed the paper to my chest, tears streaming down my face. “You monsters,” I whispered. “You just keep digging your own grave. My son, my brother, and my mother.”

I shoved the file into my bag and closed the safe.

I left the house. My phone pinged as I drove. I checked it at a red light.

Flight booking confirmed for tomorrow evening. Two passengers.

It was set. Me and Jane, tomorrow, I’ll take her away from here to where she will get better.

I reached the hospital and parked. My heart felt lighter knowing escape was close.

But when I walked into Jane’s room, my heart froze.

A shadow hovered over her bed. The figure leaned close, a syringe glinting in the dim light.

“Who’s there?” I demanded, my voice sharp.

The person turned slowly. It was Chloe.

Amber’s Pov

I froze when I saw Chloe by Jane’s bed, a syringe in her hand.

“What are you doing?” I demanded.

Chloe let out a long breath, like relief. “Oh, thank God. I thought it was someone else. It’s just you, Amber.”

“Back away,” I said. “Leave my sister alone.”

She smiled coldly. “I’ve killed your son and made Jason kill your mother and brother. The only one left is this pesky brat who’s refused to die. Once she's dead then I’ll kill you and have Jason all to myself.”

My skin crawled. “Don’t you dare.”

Chloe’s laugh was sharp. “Do you know what I did with your mother’s corneas? I fed them to vultures.”

Something snapped. I slapped her so hard it echoed. She doubled over, then she grabbed her cheek and screamed.

Jason burst in, face white with fury. He seized Chloe and drew her close. “What is your problem, Amber? Why are you bullying Chloe after we made peace?”

“She came to kill Jane!” I spat.

Chloe threw herself on Jason like a wounded animal. Big, dramatic tears. “Please, Jason,” she wailed. “I was only trying to help her sister. I can inject myself with this injection to prove it’s not lethal.

I glared at Chloe, daring her, “Go ahead!”

Chloe whimpered as she held the injection but before she could inject herself Jason ripped the syringe from Chloe’s hand and smashed it under his shoe.

“Chloe is a doctor, she was only trying to help Jane and you aren't even showing any remorse. You haven’t learned,” he growled at me, “I’ll teach you a lesson.”

He ordered his men to grab me as they hauled me outside. My coat dragged, my boots skidding on the stone.

They pulled aside a sheet in the yard. My mother lay there, white and still under a plain cover. My throat closed, my legs turned to jelly at the sight.

“This is your punishment,” Jason said, and pushed a torch to the sheet.

The flames rose fast. Heat hit my face. The smell was raw and terrible. I screamed and lunged forward but the men tightened their hold on me.

“Jason stop this!” I begged.

“Your mother will be buried with no honor, a pitiful way to send her into the other world,” he sneered.

I tore away, ripping free, and dove for the sheet. The flames bit into my hands and sleeves. Pain flared like a hot brand. My skin broke. I felt the hot sting, then the shock.

“Amber, no!” Jason shouted, as he ran toward me.

I gripped at the burning sheet, tearing it off. My fingers left smoking cloth. Everything blurred and I blacked out.

—

I woke up in a hospital room. White lights flickered and I felt bandages on my body.

My body ached all over. My lower body was wrapped tight. My hands were stiff and raw. I tried to move and a wave of pain hit me.

Jason sat in a chair, dishevelled, like he had slept there. When he saw me open my eyes, his eyes widened in concern.

“You’re awake,” he said, relief in his voice. “I haven’t left your side. Two days you were unconscious. What were you thinking jumping into a fire?”

“Get out,” I whispered.

He stared, stunned, then asked in an unsure voice, “What?”

“I said GET. OUT!” I yelled.

He looked like he wanted to say something but then changed his mind as he rose slowly and left the room.

I fumbled for my phone to see a series of missed calls and messages from Roy. I dialed his number immediately.

“Roy?” I said when he answered. My voice trembled. “I missed the flight. I need help. I’m hurt. Jane, she’s still in a coma. Come pick us up.”

“I just landed in New York. I was worried sick. Hold on. I’m coming.”

I hung up just as a doctor came in. “Good. Prepare to discharge me and my sister right now.”

She looked at my charts and shook her head. “You have second-degree burns on your back, thigh, leg, and hand. Your sister suffered a brain injury. She needs surgery, and she’s not stable for travel.”

“I’m leaving,” I said, my voice flat. “We are leaving now.”

“I strongly advise against it,” she said. “But if you insist, we will stabilize her as best we can. She will need a doctor on board. You must sign a release.”

I nodded and signed the release form then an ambulance conveyed me and Jane to meet Roy at the hanger. Jane was loaded on a stretcher and I was in a wheelchair.

Roy’s private jet gleamed under the lights when we arrived. His mouth hung open with shock as he stared at us.

“What have they done to you?” he asked.

The staff helped strap Jane down. A team of doctors got on board. He helped me into my seat and sat close.

Roy was shaking with rage, “I ought to go smash that asshole’s face in!”

I smiled, “Don’t worry, they will pay. Let’s proceed according to plan. Just give me the live feed of the house.”

He handed me an iPad and a pair of earphones. “I patched the camera to the house. There's audio and everything.”

Jason was pacing in his living room when a courier knocked. He collected the package and signed as he ripped open the envelope.

He frowned, when he saw it was a divorce certificate he had signed.

“Divorce? I didn't sign these,” he muttered.

As he flipped the pages a note fell out. He read the note aloud, disbelief turning to laughter. “Here are the shares you signed for your son, you greedy bastard. Happy divorce day, asshole!”

He laughed, thinking it was a prank. “Amber loves me,” he said. “This must be a joke. Even if she divorces me, she loses everything.”

Chloe burst into the room, sobbing. “She ruined us, Amber has ruined everything. Check the TV!”

Jason turned to the TV, irritation still creasing his face. But then his eyes caught the headline blazing across the screen in bold letters:

“Jason Morales and Resident Surgeon Chloe Morales Exposed in Web of Lies, Murder, and Corruption.”

The reporter’s voice continued, “Leaked evidence obtained this morning reveals shocking truths that Jason Morales and Dr. Chloe Hudson were engaged in an illicit affair and accomplice to the murder of his ex-wife’s son, her brother, and her mother…”

One by one, videos, pictures, and documents began to roll. Jason’s face drained of color. His breath quickened. He stumbled back, gripping the couch like it was the only thing keeping him upright.

“Together Jason Morales and Dr. Chloe Hudson have orchestrated not only an illicit affair but three deaths of innocent family members. This is first degree murder and grounds for permanent license revocation. The FBI will have no choice but to step in for further investigation…”

Jason turned off the TV immediately while Chloe collapsed to her knees sobbing.

“Amber, what have you done?” he whispered as blood drained from his face.

I turned the iPad off and smiled at Roy who squeezed my hand.

“Now,” I grinned, “We proceed to phase two.”