Ethan’s face lit up as if he’d seen a savior. “Grandpa! She’s going to kill me. Save me, please…”
David’s hair had gone almost completely gray overnight, and his face looked gaunt and worn down by grief.
He struggled to catch his breath as he walked toward me, guilt heavy in his eyes.
My grip tightened on the rod as I stared coldly at him.
Ethan had lost his parents young. David had raised him like his own son, and his love for Ethan ran deep. It wasn’t unexpected that he would come here to plead for Ethan.
But just because Ethan’s life mattered, did that mean my child didn’t?
I could still feel the baby squirming inside me yesterday, struggling, begging me to save him. No one could talk me out of it today.
1/2
Chapter 7
+15 Bonus
Yet I never expected David, a man of his age and pride, to drop to his knees before me.
“Ethan lost his parents young. I raised him. If he’s turned into this, then it’s my failure as a guardian. If someone must pay with
their life, let it be both of us. Let me die with him to atone for my dead grandchild.”
Ethan panicked. “Grandpa, I don’t want to die!”
He broke free again and rushed over to pull David up. “Grandpa, how can you kneel to her? Get up and take me away from here
now!”
David shoved him away, striking him harshly with his cane. “You disgraceful brat! Get on your knees and beg Audrey and her child for forgiveness!”
Whether out of fear or the realization that David could no longer protect him, Ethan finally collapsed at my feet. He slapped
himself to beg for my forgiveness.
Beside him, David lowered his head. “If you must kill someone, kill me first. That way, when I meet Ethan’s parents in the
afterlife, I can look them in the eye.”
I staggered back, the rod trembling in my hand.
David was once a titan in the business world who carried himself with unshakable pride throughout his life. Now, he was kneeling
before me.
I felt a storm of emotions rise in
my chest.
