“Mum, you haven’t told me why you ran off yesterday. What happened?” Kimberly asked, concern evident in her voice.

Elena sighed, her face filled with worry. “Stephanie’s life is in danger. She doesn’t have much time left to spend with us.”

Kimberly’s eyes widened in fear. “What do you mean? Is Stephanie seriously ill?”

Elena nodded sadly. “Yes, it’s true. Stephanie’s condition is critical. If we don’t do something to help her, she might not make it.”

Kimberly’s voice trembled as she spoke. “Stephanie can’t die. We have to find a way to save her. We’ve been so unfair to her all these years, blaming her for a crime she didn’t commit. If she dies now, we’ll be consumed by regret.”

The next morning, Stephanie entered her mother’s room, surprising them both. Elena’s face lit up with joy. “Stephanie, you’re okay!”

Kimberly smiled warmly at Stephanie. “You look much better than yesterday. It’s hard to believe you had an attack.”

Stephanie’s expression turned cold. “Enough with the pretense. I’m not your daughter, and I’m not your sister. Don’t forget that.”

Elena and Kimberly were taken aback by Stephanie’s harsh words. Before they could respond, Stephanie interjected. “I’ve endured this accusation for eight long years, not just eight days. I have to find Aunt Tessa. She killed Dad, and I need to understand why. She used me as bait, and I deserve answers. Trying to talk me out of it won’t work. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have things to do in my room.”

Stephanie stormed off and locked herself in her room, leaving Elena and Kimberly behind. Determined, she tore a sheet of paper and quickly scribbled a message for Mrs. Robert. Sneaking out through her window, Stephanie made her way to Mrs. Robert’s house and left the letter there. She then walked to the garden, sat down on a wooden chair, and began murmuring inaudible words, preparing to unleash her inner beast.

As Stephanie fully transformed, her eyes filled with pain and anger. In the dead of night, she focused on Aunt Tessa’s location. With a strong desire, Stephanie disappeared, teleporting herself to Tessa’s house.

Upon seeing Stephanie, Aunt Tessa exclaimed, “Who do we have here?”

Stephanie approached Tessa and took a seat on the couch. “Were you expecting me?”

A wicked smile formed on Tessa’s face. “Not exactly, but it’s delightful to have you here.”

Cutting to the chase, Stephanie demanded answers. “Tessa, I want to know why you killed Dad, your own brother, and why you used me as bait.”

Tessa arrogantly responded, “You don’t ask the questions here; I do.”

Growing increasingly upset, Stephanie’s fingers transformed into sharp claws, which she used to pierce Tessa’s legs. Tessa screamed in agony as she fell to the floor, bleeding.

Stephanie shouted at Tessa, her voice filled with rage. “Tell me the truth, woman!”

Struggling to speak, Tessa gasped, “Your father was weak and fearful. I wanted to conquer the world together because he possessed incredible powers. But he chose to protect humanity instead. Despite being evil, my brother couldn’t bring himself to kill me for the sake of humans, so he left. I embarked on a journey to seek answers and gain more power. I discovered that only you could end my life, and you would inherit your father’s powers. I was afraid. I tried to find a way to eliminate you, but Jordan was too clever. That’s when I came up with the plan to poison your father through you. I knew Elena, your mother, was deeply in love with Jordan and would do anything for him. I used you as bait, hoping that one day your family would treat you poorly, reject you, and perhaps even kill you for supposedly killing Jordan. But clearly, my plan didn’t work.”

“You killed my father because he wasn’t as evil as you are. You used me as bait because you wanted me out of the way, the only one destined to kill you. You wanted to eliminate me so you could continue taking lives and wreaking havoc. You destroyed my father, Tessa, and made everyone believe I did it. Because of you, I was condemned. Because of you, I never got to experience a normal teenage life. I didn’t attend school or use a mobile phone. My world ended the day you took my father away from me. And do you know what? I couldn’t even say a proper goodbye to him because of you, Tessa. Why? Just because of your thirst for power and destruction,” Stephanie yelled, tears streaming down her face.

Tessa’s attempts to persuade Stephanie to join forces were futile. Stephanie’s rage intensified, and she decided to make Tessa suffer. With Tessa’s blood boiling inside her, Stephanie relished in her pain. However, realizing that revenge wouldn’t bring her true peace, Stephanie closed her eyes and found herself back in her room.

She descended the stairs, walked into the kitchen, and prepared a meal for the first time in eight years. Stephanie ate to her heart’s content before returning to her room. She noticed her mother and Kimberly but pretended not to see them. She meticulously organized her belongings and chose her best outfit. After combing her hair, she retrieved a pen and notepad, scribbled a final note, and quietly drifted into eternal sleep.

* * *

“Mum, Stephanie actually prepared something to eat,” Kimberly exclaimed as she entered the sitting room. She had gone into the kitchen for a glass of water and noticed the unwashed plates and pots there.

Elena looked up, surprised. “How did you find out?”

“The evidence is right there on the plates. Maybe Stephanie is starting to accept us again,” Kimberly said, a glimmer of hope in her voice.

Elena’s eyes welled up with tears. “I wish I could change our fate. I wish Stephanie could stay with us longer. Oh, how I wish…”

Kimberly interrupted her, speaking with conviction. “Stephanie isn’t dying, Mum. I believe it with all my heart.”

“If only you could understand, Kimberly. I’ve lost my own daughter because of one foolish mistake. My little girl begged me to resolve the issues I had with your father that night, to prevent any future outbursts and tragedies. I wish I had listened to her. Look at what I’ve done. My emotions clouded my judgment,” Elena lamented, her gaze lost in empty space.

Kimberly embraced her tightly. “Stephanie won’t die, Mum. Let’s hold onto hope for a brighter future,” she whispered soothingly into her mother’s ear.