A Death Order
949 Words
“You found it,” Selene heaved as she spotted Marina, shrugging off the heaviness pressing against her chest.
“What did you just say?” Marina asked, blinking hard.
Selene forced a smile onto her face.
“Did you hear something…?”
“You said a name, Selene… how did you know that name?” Marina asked, her frantic gaze roaming Selene's face as her breath spiraled.
Selene raised a brow, feigning ignorance, composed.
“What name, Marina?” She chuckled.
Marina tore her eyes away, dread coiling low in her stomach as she paced. Was she just hearing things, or did Selene really say the name Samantha?
“Look, you must have heard wrong, ma'am…”
“Go ahead and take a look,” Marina cut in, forcing a smile onto her face with a nod.
“Really?” Selene choked.
Marina nodded again.
“The room used to belong to my sister… she disappeared a few years ago,” Marina said.
Selene pouted her lower lip, faking a sorry face.
“I'm sorry that happened to you, Marina…”
“You don't have to apologize, Selene… she was no good. In fact, she was a slut,” she cursed, her eyes fixed on Selene's face as if to check her reaction to hearing that.
“Really?” Selene chuckled, a broken, hollow laugh as pain shot through her chest.
“Yes, Selene… her mother was a slut too, so you know what they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the family.”
Selene smiled, a mask to hide the bitterness flooding her veins.
“So what do you think, Selene… does my sister deserve her fate?” Marina taunted.
“Well, what do you think, Marina… she's your sister and not mine. If you don't feel sorry for her, then neither do I.”
Marina's eyes lingered on Selene for a while, as though watching for the slightest slip-up or mistake.
“The document…” Selene sighed and stretched out her hand.
Marina placed it into her palm.
“I’ll prepare the transfer agreement as soon as possible,” Selene assured, flashing a warm smile.
“And once it's signed, the baby dies…”
Marina looked away, biting on her lower lip as resentment swirled within her. Selene actually had the nerve to bargain with her.
“How do you intend to keep Matteo off your tail, then… I'm sure he knows about the baby now.”
Selene exhaled a deep breath, slight worry building inside her as her mind ran back to Matteo.
“I don't know how, Marina…”
Marina's eyes snapped wide.
“What do you mean?”
“But the point remains, I am never carrying Matteo's blood.” Selene sneered, her expression hardening into something cold and resolute, her voice dripping with venom.
Marina exhaled a quiet breath of relief. Seeing the look on Selene's face, she meant every word.
“So you're saying I should trust you?” She asked, still unsure.
Selene nodded.
“I have a son, Marina… and he's all I need.”
Marina looked away.
“Can I borrow your phone again?” Selene asked, reaching out for Marina’s purse draped on her shoulder and taking her phone.
“Thank you,” she mouthed and stepped aside.
“Did you really not harm my mom?” Marina asked, her eyes dragging over Selene suspiciously.
“What… you don't believe me?” Selene retorted, calm and calculated.
Marina said nothing else.
She knew that much at least—Selene was the cause of her mother's injury. She could tell it for sure. But of course, it didn't matter. All she needed was that baby gone. Quinn's place must not be threatened.
“Ava?” Selene called over the phone.
“Ma'am… are you on your way now?” Ava's voice echoed from the other end.
Selene hummed a response.
“How is Leo doing now?” Selene asked.
Ava heaved out a calm breath.
“He's stable for now…”
“Okay… I'm on my way,” Selene exhaled, and the line went dead.
“Thank you, Marina…”
Marina let out a you're-welcome smile, taking back the phone from Selene as she brushed past her.
“I should be on my way now…” she heard Selene mutter.
“Yeah… you should.” Marina said, her eyes following Selene until she was completely gone from the hallway.
“b***h…” she spat with a bitter hiss, dialing a number as fast as her hands could move, her feet dragging across the hallway as something darker than malice sparked in her eyes.
“Ma'am?” Her assistant's voice rang through the phone.
“I have a really important job for you… and you better see that it's taken care of.”
“Anything, ma'am… just name it.”
“I want her dead now… my mind is made up. I don't know how you do it but—”
“No ma'am… I know exactly how to take care of assignments like that.” The girl answered, leaving Marina blinking in slight confusion before an impressed smile curved her lips.
“Are you sure you can handle—”
“Of course, ma'am… I know the perfect place to take you and the perfect people for the job.”
“I'll pay anything…” Marina rushed.
“Consider it done then.” The girl promised, and the call ended.
Marina scoffed—bitter and vengeful.
“I told you not to mess with me, Selene…” she hissed, laughter rippling from her throat as she turned, flipping her long hair over her shoulder and walking away.
- Writer
