Ever since Jordan passed away, our family has been engulfed in a cloud of sorrow and despair. The once harmonious atmosphere took a drastic turn for the worse. A week after Jordan’s death, Stephanie, at her tender age, struggled to come to terms with the fact that her father was gone forever. On top of that, she had to endure false accusations from her own family, which weighed heavily on her fragile heart.

Knocking on her door, Kimberly entered Stephanie’s room, her eyes swollen from constant crying over the past week. Taking a seat at the end of the couch, she gazed at Stephanie, visibly distressed.

“Are you ready to tell me everything?” Kimberly demanded.

Confused, Stephanie replied, “What do you mean exactly?”

“Why did you kill Dad? Why? Everyone believes you were his favorite. He treated you like royalty, taking you out, showering you with gifts, and celebrating your birthday with such enthusiasm. And yet, your way of repaying him was to erase him from this world,” Kimberly accused, her voice tinged with anger.

“I’m only ten, Kimberly,” Stephanie replied, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Oh, spare me that!” Kimberly scoffed, waving her hand dismissively.

“You didn’t consider that when you poisoned him. What’s wrong with you, Stephanie?” Kimberly shouted, unable to control her emotions any longer.

Stephanie, her voice trembling, responded, “Listen to me. I am grateful that you acknowledge how much Dad adored me and made me feel special. Do you think I wouldn’t have wanted to continue receiving that attention? Do you truly believe your own sister is capable of killing our father? We’ve known each other for ten years, Kimberly. Why is it so difficult for you to believe me? Why does everyone condemn me? Why are both of you so determined to torment me, thinking that I am responsible for Dad’s death? I have been trying to talk to both of you for the past week, but you refuse to see my innocence. Fine, if you think I did it, so be it. I am tired of trying to prove my innocence to you and Mom. You can starve me, hurt me, and hurl harsh words at me. It doesn’t matter anymore. I will break down, but eventually, the truth will reveal itself. It may take months, years, or even a decade, but I will patiently wait for that day. I am alone now. The day I lost Dad, I lost both of you. It’s ironic how my own family believes that a ten-year-old could take her father’s life. It’s truly absurd.”

Stephanie stood up, walked toward the door, and swung it wide open. Kimberly, surprised, asked, “What are you doing?”

“You want to know? Fine, I’ll explain it to you. I’m asking you to leave my room. Once you’re gone, I will shut the door, just as I will shut my heart against both of you. For the pain and false accusations you and Mom have inflicted upon me, for condemning me without seeking the truth and treating me like garbage in my own father’s house, you will both have no reason to find happiness in life. The remaining years you have left will be filled with nothing but pain, sorrow, and regret. Remember this, dear sister, for it will inevitably happen.”

Stephanie clenched her fist, her breathing quickening as anger consumed her. “Stephanie…” Kimberly began to say.

“Get out, Kimberly Andrew. Leave now!” Stephanie shouted.

Kimberly stood up and exited the room as Stephanie slammed the door shut, locking it. She walked over to the mirror, staring at her reflection, noticing the fading vibrancy of her eyes and the emergence of visible veins on her face. Confusion and concern washed over Stephanie as she whispered, “What’s happening to me?” Exhausted from the emotional turmoil, she collapsed onto the couch and drifted into a deep sleep.

As Stephanie slumbered, her mind was enveloped in a vivid dream. She found herself standing in a desolate landscape, surrounded by dark clouds and a chilling wind that sent shivers down her spine. A voice echoed through the emptiness, calling out to her.

* * *

Why will Stephanie make such a statement if she isn’t Dad’s killer? What’s going on? Or could she have said that just to draw my sympathy? What is really happening? Something is missing somewhere, and I wish I could place my hands on it. I wish Dad left a clue on who actually killed him. But the autopsy results revealed that he was poisoned. What is Stephanie up to? Right now, all indicators point at her. She is the prime suspect, but I will conduct my own discreet investigation. If I find out she is truly responsible for Dad’s death, I will ensure she faces the consequences. However, if after everything she is innocent, what will happen? Will she ever forgive Mom and me? This is going to be harder than I thought,” Kimberly lamented as she lay on her bed, wrestling with her thoughts.

Feeling determined to uncover the truth, Kimberly rose from her bed and went to retrieve her camera. She attempted to turn it on, only to discover that the battery was low. Frustrated, she set it aside, realizing that her pursuit of justice would require patience and careful planning.

Muffled footsteps approached Kimberly’s room, and her mother, Elena, entered without knocking. Startled, Kimberly rolled her eyes in annoyance.

“What’s the problem, young lady?” Elena asked, folding her arms.

Kimberly sighed, her eyes filled with confusion and frustration. “I’m just bothered and confused. Dad’s sudden and unexpected departure has left us all reeling. I wish he had left some clue to help us find his killer.”

Elena’s voice quivered with a mix of anger and sorrow. “Stephanie killed my husband, your father. I know our daughter can act strangely at times, but I never imagined she would go so far as to take Jordan’s life. I need to understand why she did it. She may remain silent for now, but one day she will confess her reasons for killing my husband, and I will ensure justice is served.”

Kimberly’s mind raced, torn between the belief that Stephanie was guilty and the possibility of her innocence. She hesitantly asked, “But what if she is innocent?”

Elena’s gaze turned cold and determined. “Innocent, you say? Then who gave your father the coffee he drank before leaving for work?”

“Stephanie,” Kimberly replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Elena’s face contorted with pain and disbelief. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she uttered, “Why would she do such a thing? We gave her everything. I can’t believe our own daughter would cause us this much pain. Jordan didn’t deserve to die like this.”

Kimberly’s anger swelled within her as she clenched her fists. “I will do everything in my power to uncover the truth. And if it turns out that Stephanie is guilty, I won’t hesitate to make her pay for her actions, just as she ended Dad’s life.”

Elena, still sobbing, expressed her desire for Stephanie to suffer, to experience the pain she had inflicted on their family. Kimberly comforted her mother, assuring her that justice would be served, even as Elena wished she could turn back time to prevent the tragedy.

With their focus now on giving Jordan the justice he deserved, Kimberly and Elena vowed to spare no effort in their pursuit of the truth. They discussed funeral arrangements, deciding that Stephanie would not be present, as she had forfeited her place in the family by her alleged actions. Elena expressed her intention to isolate Stephanie in a different room after the funeral, determined to inflict her own brand of punishment.

“She has lost that right. She is no longer a part of this family, and she is no longer my daughter. She chose to end the life which she didn’t give and I curse her for that. She took away our joy and happiness and in return, I will inflict so much pain on her that she will curse the very day she took the decision of killing Jordan. She didn’t want to see Jordan live, and so I won’t grant her the happiness of seeing Jordan being lowered 6ft into the earth. And after the funeral, I will relocate her downstairs to the room beside the kitchen.” Elena said.

“If she gets locked up here while we attend the burial, she will tear down the whole place with her cries but that isn’t my business because right now my heart yearns for justice. I want the killer to feel multiple times the pain we have felt. I want the killer to curse the very day he or she took that decision and I so pity Stephanie that if after everything she is the one, I won’t hesitate to pull the trigger on her head and end her miserable life. My father yearns for justice and I will stop at nothing to make sure that this is achieved.” Kimberly said as she tightened her fist.