{Inside the Elevator}
My broken phone buzzed again.
Unknown number.
For a second, I just stared at it, my pulse pounding in my ears.
Then I answered.
"…Lin speaking."
A pause.
Then—
A voice I knew too well.
Smooth. Mocking.
"Did you like my birthday gift… husband?"
My breath hitched.
Cheng Mo.
"You sold my company."
The words came out low. Controlled.
A soft chuckle echoed through the line.
Of course I did," he said lazily. "Didn't you like it? I put a lot of thought into it."
Laughter followed.
Sharp. Deliberate.
My grip tightened around the phone, fingers trembling.
The elevator walls suddenly felt too close.
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
My voice cracked—but I didn't care.
Each word he spoke felt like something tearing through my chest.
"You sound surprised," Cheng said lightly. "Don't tell me you actually believed your dear brother did it."
Silence.
Cold. Heavy.
My jaw clenched.
"What did you do to him?"
The question came out dangerous.
"If you touched him—"
"Relax," he cut in, amused. "I didn't force him. He signed everything himself."
For a moment—
Nothing.
My mind went completely blank.
Then the rage came back.
Worse.
"You think this is funny?"
A pause.
Then—
"Very."
The line went dead.
The elevator chimed.
Doors slid open.
People moved past me, unaware. Unbothered.
Like my world hadn't just collapsed.
I stepped out slowly, my reflection flashing across the polished walls.
Blood on my hand.
Eyes dark.
Unrecognizable.
I had been going to my brother.
Not anymore.
My steps changed direction.
Cold. Steady.
Toward him.
Toward Cheng Mo.
Because now—
This wasn't about answers.
This was about ending it.