She Died Betrayed And Returned Ruthless

CHAPTER 6

We’ll use the stairs,” Chloe said pushing open the emergency exit door. A rush of cold air hit me. My stomach tightened.

“Why?” I asked, my voice already unsteady. “For safety, ma. When we get to the next floor, we’ll use the elevator.” My instincts kicked in.

Something wasn’t right. My heartbeat raced.

I quickly pulled out the phone Matthew had given me and dialed his number.

“We have to hurry,” Chloe said, stepping inside. “We can’t stay here long.”

I paused… then followed her. The door shut behind me.

The phone rang. I kept a slight distance between us as we started descending.

Matthew picked up. “Where are you?” he asked immediately. “At the emergency staircase… with Chloe,” I replied.

There was silence for a few seconds and almost immediately. “What?!” His voice rose sharply. “I told you I would come pick you up myself!” Panic flooded his tone.

I could hear his movement fasten.

I heard a sound behind me.

Click.

My body went rigid.

My breath caught.

“What was that?” Matthew asked. But I couldn’t speak. “Brenda…” his voice dropped. “Brenda!”

I turned slowly, Chloe stood behind me.

A pistol in her hand.

Pointed directly at my head.

Everything inside me went cold. She stepped forward and took the phone from my hand.

“What are you doing, Chloe?!” Matthew shouted from the other end. “What I should have done…” her voice shook. “Don’t do anything stupid!” he warned.

She ended the call her hands trembling. “What are you doing?” I whispered, gripping my dress.

“Shut up,” she said softly, placing a finger over her lips. My head shook uncontrollably.

“I’m not going to kill you,” she said quickly, lowering the gun slightly.

“I just need your help.” She grabbed my hand, tears gathering in her eyes. “I need money from Matthew. You’re my last option.”

“wha..What does that have to do with me?” I stammered. “He loves you,” her expression darkened. “He’ll do anything if you’re in danger.”

“Please…” my voice broke. “Don’t do this.” “I’ll just keep you for a few days,” she rushed. “Then I’ll let you go.”

“Don’t be silly, Chloe.” A voice cut through the tension. Chloe and I turned to the entrance of the staircase.

It was my sister Amber. She stepped forward calmly. “The gun isn’t even loaded,” she said with a light, careless laugh.

“Amber—let’s go,” I said quickly, grabbing her hand. She yanked it away. “Save yourself first.” Her face was blank. Emotionless. Unreadable.

Fear crashed into me.

I turned to run but felt a hard shove.

My foot slipped.

My head spun.

I fell rolling down the stairs. Pain exploded through my body as I crashed into a metal shelf.

A loud crack echoed above me. A ceramic pot shattered on my head, dust and fragments scattering across my face.

I blinked, dazed, wiping at my eyes. Then I saw it. A heavy granite slab at the top of the shelf

Shifting.

Falling.

My body reacted before my mind could. I rolled away. It slammed down beside me with a deafening crash.

I pushed myself up, breathing hard. “What… just happened…!?”

Chloe dropped to the floor, hands covering her mouth. “Why…?” she whispered, staring at Amber.

Amber just stared at me. Then swallowed. “He was mine first,” she said, her voice trembling beneath forced calm.

“What…?” I asked. No answer. “Who cares if she dies or survives?” Amber continued, rolling her eyes. Anger surged through me.

“How dare you, Amber!” I shouted. “You could have killed me!” My voice cracked. “I could have died!” “You’re my sister…” I whispered. “How could you do this to me?”

Chloe stepped closer. “Brenda…” Her voice shook. I dropped to the floor, clutching my stomach. I looked up at her. Her lips trembled, her eyes wide from fear.

Not for me but herself. For Matthew finding out.

“She deserves it,” Amber said coldly, picking at her nails. I stood slowly. Rage burning through me.

“Leave,” I said firmly. “Get out of the stairs, Chloe.” But she didn’t move. She stepped closer instead, hands slightly raised. Trying to calm me.

“Die, Brenda!” Amber screamed. Something inside me snapped.

I charged at her, pushed Chloe aside and ran up the stairs to her. I raised my hand and slapped her.

But my hand passed straight through her like she wasn’t real.

No Like…I wasn’t real.