"Felicia, you're already here."
She only caught the words because the man had called her name. She recognized him immediately—Manuel's father. The acrid scent of cigarette smoke clung to the air as he puffed on his stick.
"Don't be afraid of me. I'm only here to thank you for what you've done," he said, flashing a grin.
Felicia stayed silent, listening.
"Name your price, my dear Felicia," he added casually.
"As we discussed," Felicia replied curtly.
"Sure, sure. I'll give you all of it. You've always been easy to talk to." He signed a few documents.
This—this was the price of her silence, the cost of not helping Leah's case. If she refused, her life—and the lives of those she loved—would be at risk. This wasn't just a father she was dealing with. He had once been part of a secret syndicate. And when Felicia discovered the truth, she had no choice but to tread carefully… even if it meant betraying those she had once helped.
I only have one life to live. I won't get caught up in this mess, she reminded herself.
"Dad, are you done giving her the reward?" Angely asked, approaching.
"Yep." Felicia handed him the signed documents.
As she reached out to take them, he pulled them back slightly. "I know what you're capable of," he warned.
The man leaned closer, voice lowering to a whisper. "If anyone finds out about this, I won't just end your life, Felicia. I'll take down your whole family."
Felicia's eyes blazed. "Will you hurt your grandchild, too?"
The man paused.
"If you touch anyone in my family, I swear I'll expose everything—even to the Gonzalez family. I have the child." Her voice was steady and sharp.
He merely smirked. "You're strong, Felicia. You know my weaknesses, and I know the secrets you're hiding. Let's work together. Help each other survive."
Felicia stepped back, clutching the papers.
"Felicia," Angely called after her.
She turned to face the woman who had replaced Leah.
"Keep your promise. Leave my sister out of this," Angely said coldly.
Felicia didn't reply. In her world, her abilities had become her curse. But no—this wasn't a curse. This was karma. For the lies, the betrayals, and the manipulation of every client she had ever deceived.
Still, even if she died, she would never pass this burden on to her family. Let them think what they wanted. She had done what she had to do to protect them.
She headed toward the mansion listed on the title. It wasn't far. But as she neared the location, a wave of unease hit her.
There was a crowd. Sirens. Flashing lights. Felicia quickened her pace.
Before her lay a grisly scene: corpses—many of them. Including the mansion owner.
She froze in disbelief and checked the address.
You idiot… she cursed silently.
She grabbed her phone and dialed the man she had just spoken with. He answered.
"Is this really the title you gave me?" Her voice was shaking with rage.
He only laughed. "Don't like it? That's the Martinez family's property now—yours."
"Are you insane? Are you seriously giving me this place?!"
"Why not? They're defenseless now. They're gone."
From the corner of her eye, Felicia noticed someone watching her. The same man. He stood a distance away, watching her reaction.
"You don't like the gift? It's all yours. Don't worry, someone will clean up the mess after the investigation. Relax, Felicia."
"Did you do this?" she asked, stepping away from the growing crowd.
He laughed again. "Yeah. Got a problem with that, Felicia?"
Felicia's hand trembled in fury. She ended the call and turned her gaze back to the mansion… and the blood.
Then, it happened.
The corpses—those lifeless, innocent victims—seemed to stare at her.
One by one, their eyes snapped open.
Goosebumps prickled across her skin.
One body twitched. A finger lifted. It began scrawling a name—her name.
No. This isn't my fault… she thought in terror.
She looked at the mansion again. The atmosphere was heavy, oppressive. She could hear cries—agonized screams from the souls trapped there.
She couldn't take it anymore. She fled, faster than she ever had in her life, the fresh blood still vivid in her mind.
Her phone rang again.
She checked the screen, then answered.
"Don't you want to stay in your new mansion?" he asked.
Felicia gritted her teeth. "Clean up your mess." She hung up.
The weight of it still crushed her chest.
"Glad you woke up, Felicia. Was your dream nice?" Leah asked with a sweet smile.
Felicia squinted at her.
"Why the scowl? I'm not even arguing with you yet," Leah teased.
"Can you shut your mouth, Leah, if you have nothing good to say?"
"Like you shut your mouth before about what you knew?" Leah smiled meaningfully.
Felicia stiffened. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh, you really think I didn't know? Not even my family was allowed to leave..." Leah whispered.
"Tell me, Felicia—is it joyful to live in a mansion soaked in blood? Is it comforting to sleep surrounded by corpses?"
Her smile twisted unnaturally.
Felicia remembered. She couldn't move. Couldn't even deny it—because that truth could end her life.
"I can see the fear in your eyes. I've never seen that before," Leah said, stepping away.
"It's a pity, though—the real mastermind behind all this still lives. What game shall we play next?"
Leah glanced to the side. "Isn't that right, Manuel?"
"Enough with your madness, Leah," Angely snapped.
"Oh, I'm the one who's mad now, Angely? Don't worry—you're next, my dear." Leah laughed, a sound too sharp, too gleeful.
She returned to her ghostly throne and watched them all.
"We all carry the karma we've created. Let's face it. Let's play with it."
Her eyes sparkled.
"Oops... I guess I am your karma."
Leah's laugh echoed, long and unending.