Chapter 9
Fury twisted Laurel’s features as she closed in on me. My heart pounded violently, and a cold sweat broke out across my skin.
Out of nowhere, a figure lunged from behind, tackling her to the ground.
Kendrick wrestled for the knife with his bare hands. He was so focused on disarming her that he didn’t even flinch when the blade sliced into his skin.
Summoning every ounce of strength, he pinned her down and held her in place.
They fought with savage intensity, neither willing to back down.
At that moment, Evelyn rushed in. She kicked the knife aside and immediately called the police.
“What the hell are you doing here? I haven’t even dealt with you yet, and you’re already throwing yourself at me?” Laurel shrieked.
Furious, she slammed her head into Kendrick’s, as though she were trying to unleash all her rage. After all, the man she had once loved had become her worst enemy.
“You pinned everything on me and disappeared without a trace, didn’t you? You filthy coward!”
They hurled insults at each other, but Kendrick never loosened his grip. Instead, he shot back, “You seduced me first! Why the hell should I take the fall for you? Would the ship have sunk if you hadn’t touched the controls?”
Kendrick and Laurel fought viciously in the hallway while Evelyn and I stood rooted to the spot. We were afraid that they’d turn on us next.
The wail of sirens grew louder by the second.
Then, a glint of coldness flickered in Laurel’s eyes. An evil smile played on her lips as she reached behind her back.
“It looks like you’ve saved me the trouble. Don’t blame me for doing this!” she said, sneering.
Suddenly, a blade gleamed in the dim light.
Before anyone could react, Laurel drove the knife straight into Kendrick’s chest. Blood gushed from the wound, soaking both their shirts red.
Kendrick’s legs buckled. With a heavy thud, he collapsed. His body convulsed violently as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop it.
“Y–You had a backup plan?”
Tears glistened in his eyes. However, a second later, he clenched his jaw before letting out a furious roar.
With a final burst of strength, he ripped the knife from his chest and slashed it across Laurel’s throat.
“K–Kendrick…Y–You’re ruthless,” she stammered.
Clutching her neck, she gasped as blood spurted from between her fingers.
Meanwhile, Evelyn and I stood paralyzed, too horrified to make a single sound. Laurel’s eyes darted around before finally settling on me. Her lips moved, but I
couldn’t make out the words.
Nearby, Kendrick smiled faintly as he slumped against the wall.
When I saw that, I rushed forward and caught him in my arms. No matter what, he had still taken the knife for me. I couldn’t just stand by and watch him die.
Soon, the police arrived, with the paramedics close behind. If Kendrick could hold on a little longer, he might have a chance at survival.
But he simply shook his head, his lifeless eyes locking onto mine as he murmured, “At last… It’s my turn to save you.”
He barely managed the words before choking on his own blood. His breath came in gasps as though he had used up the last of his strength.
“I’m sorry, Roxanne. If I could do it all over again, I would never have chosen her,” Kendrick rasped.
His gaze softened, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Before long, his eyes fluttered shut, and his chest fell still,
And just like that, he died in my arms.
Laurel, however, had it worse. She bled out in mere seconds.
In the end, the police took away two bodies, each covered by a white sheet.
At that point, the flower shop reeked of blood. Evelyn and I exchanged a glance, nausea churning in our stomachs. Neither of us had any appetite for the late–night snacks she had bought.
When Sabrina heard what had happened, she immediately called their family and rushed over.
As for me, I was taken in for questioning.
However, the surveillance footage had captured everything. Kendrick and Laurel had fought to the death. It was clear that I had nothing to do with it.
Kendrick was buried two days later.
Sabrina handed me a phone, and it contained his final message.
Only then did I realize that he had planned for this all along.
For days, he had been lingering near my flower shop. He stood at a distance, watching me clock in and out. Yet, he never once disturbed me.
“Roxanne, I know I hurt you, but I’ve changed. From now on, I’ll spend every day making it up to you. I’m sorry. Maybe in another lifetime, I can make things right.
Chapter 9
2/2
Soon, static crackled from the phone, followed by the sound of him charging forward. Then came my desperate screams.
After hesitating for a long while, I finally made my way to the funeral home.
I placed the phone before his portrait and whispered, “This lifetime was enough. I don’t need another with you, and I sure as hell don’t need you to make things right.”
After saying that, I turned on my heel and strode out.
Once outside, I exhaled deeply.
Screw making amends. This time, I was going to live my life.
And I’d pray like hell to never be haunted by those two assholes. They could stay tangled up in their mess, even in death.
But me? I’d thrive on my own.
