surprised

Part 3: A Deadly Twist

Mara had made a mistake. A fatal one.

Vanessa had noticed.

The fiancée had always been suspicious of Mara, but now, she had proof.

She confronted Mara that night, after the gala.

"I know what you're doing," Vanessa hissed, her eyes alight with fury. "You think you can steal him? You think you’re special?"

Mara remained silent, calculating.

"You’re nothing. And I will not let some nobody ruin everything I’ve built."

The attack came suddenly. A flash of silver. A burning pain in Mara’s stomach.

She staggered back, clutching the wound, blood spilling through her fingers.

Vanessa’s breath was ragged, her hands trembling as she whispered, "Stay away from him."

Darkness swallowed Mara whole.

---

Part 4: The Spiral of Grief

Ethan found Mara’s body in his office.

For a moment, the world stopped.

Her lifeless form was sprawled on the floor, a pool of crimson staining the carpet.

He dropped to his knees, his hands shaking as he cradled her.

"No… no, no, no."

Her last breath had already left her.

And with it, something inside Ethan shattered.

The days blurred into weeks. Vanessa spun a perfect lie, painting Mara as an obsessed assistant who had lost control. Ethan didn’t believe her, but he couldn’t prove otherwise.

He stopped attending meetings. He barely ate. He became a shell of the man he once was.

And every night, he dreamed of Mara’s eyes—full of something she had never said out loud.

Then, on the anniversary of her death, everything changed.

---

Part 5: The Final Blow

Vanessa was in their penthouse, sipping wine, when the lights flickered.

She turned, frowning. "Ethan?"

No answer.

A shadow moved behind her.

And then—

A whisper.

"Did you miss me?"

Vanessa whirled around, her wine glass shattering.

Mara stood before her, alive.

Her dark suit was immaculate, her expression unreadable. But her eyes… they burned with quiet fury.

"You should be dead," Vanessa breathed.

Mara smiled. "I got better."

Before Vanessa could scream, Mara silenced her with a single, swift cut. Blood sprayed across the floor. Vanessa crumpled, lifeless.

And then, Mara turned to Ethan.

He stood in the doorway, shock and grief warring in his eyes.

"Mara…" His voice broke.

She tilted her head. "Surprised?"

"I thought—" His breath hitched. "I thought I lost you."

Mara stepped closer, the knife still warm in her hand.

"You did."

Ethan swallowed hard. "I love you."

For the first time, Mara faltered.

She had waited for this moment. She had planned it. And yet, something inside her ached.

Ethan reached for her, but she was faster.

The blade sank into his chest.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he stumbled, clutching the wound.

"Why?"

Mara caught him as he fell, lowering him gently.

"Because I was never meant to love you."

Ethan’s breath grew shallow, his fingers brushing against her cheek one last time.

"You were the only one I ever trusted," he whispered.

And then, he was gone.

Mara closed her eyes, the weight of his words heavier than she had expected.

Then, without another glance, she vanished into the night.

A shadow, once again.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***