Chapter 14

Stella's vision blurred.

How could Martha... how could she have fallen from the rooftop?

Barefoot, she rushed downstairs, the cold stone steps biting into her soles.

Lily was already standing on the lawn, her fingers lightly brushing Martha's cheek. "What a pity. She's already gone."

"It was you..."

"I almost forgot," Lily straightened up, her skirt stained with blood. "This old woman watched you grow up. So loyal to you."

Stella trembled. "She did nothing wrong!"

"Her mistake was knowing too much." Lily's smile was eerie under the moonlight. "Those who see what they shouldn't deserve to die."

"You're insane!"

Lily caressed her flat stomach. "If I can abandon my own flesh and blood, what's a mere servant?"

The sudden ring of a phone shattered the tension.

"Adrian, come quick!" Lily's voice instantly turned tearful. "Stella pushed Martha off the roof!"

Stella heard the sound of shattering glass through the phone.

To Adrian, Martha had been his last remaining family.

"Lily," Stella sneered. "You belong in Hollywood."

"Say what you want." Lily waved the phone. "With no witnesses left, I'll always be the pure one in his heart."

A screeching brake pierced the night.

Adrian stumbled to Martha's side, his fingers trembling, afraid to touch her.

Lily immediately clung to him. "Adrian, don't look—"

"Stella!"

She was lifted by her throat, her feet dangling in the air.

"Why?" Adrian's voice was raw with anguish.

Stella managed a weak smile. "If I said it wasn't me, would you believe me?"

"What do you think?"

"Right." She closed her eyes. "I was the only one in the villa. Who else could it be?"

Adrian's knuckles turned white. "First my parents, now Martha. What kind of heart do you have?!"

"Adrian, stop!" Lily feigned concern. "Miss Stella must have just wanted to see you so badly that she—"

"Because I didn't watch the stars with you?" Adrian's breath burned against her face. "So you killed my last family member?"

Stella looked at Lily. "You even prepared my lines for me."

"A life for a life." Adrian spoke through gritted teeth. "Do you really think I won't do it?"

Lily grabbed his arm. "Miss Stella just loves you too much..."

"Lily, go home first."

"I want to stay with you—"

How ironic.

The same words, spoken to different people, carried entirely different meanings.

"Really going to kill me?" Stella whispered.

"The police are on their way." Adrian released her. "Killing you would stain my hands."

Stella adjusted her collar. "Then I'll go have some wonton soup first."

"You—"

"Don't worry." She walked toward the kitchen. "By the time I finish this last meal, the police should be here."