Lara Missing.

Miss Dora's Worry

The night stretched long in the Stevenson mansion. Miss Dora paced the living room, her shawl clutched tight around her shoulders, her phone trembling in her hand.

It was late—far too late—and Lara still hadn't come home.

"Where are you, child…?" she murmured under her breath, thumb pressing call after call. The ring tone droned on, unanswered. A knot of dread twisted in her chest with every second that passed. Lara never stayed out this long without a word.

She glanced at the clock again, her breathing uneven.

Something's wrong… I can feel it.

The Drive

Far from the mansion, on a dimly lit road, Lara's car barreled forward like a wounded beast. Behind the wheel sat Kay, her knuckles white on the steering wheel, her eyes wide and bright with a feverish intensity.

In the back seat, Lara lay slumped, her head lolling, hair matted to her damp forehead. Her breaths came shallow, broken by soft groans.

Kay's thoughts spiraled as she drove.

She heard too much. She knows what I've done. If she opens her mouth, everything falls apart—my plans, my future, my life with David.

Her lips curled in a tight smile. I can't let that happen. Not when I've worked too hard to get here.

The bridge rose out of the darkness, its steel frame glinting under the pale moonlight. Kay's pulse quickened—not with fear, but with a strange, thrilling rush.

This is it. No turning back. Be strong, Kay. Finish what you started.

The Confrontation

The tires screeched as Kay slammed the brakes. The car shuddered to a halt near the bridge's edge.

She stepped out into the cold night air, the wind tugging at her hair, and took a long breath.

No one's around. No one will see. You've planned this perfectly.

Kay opened the back door and leaned in. Lara's unfocused eyes fluttered open halfway. Kay grabbed her wrist, yanking her out with rough precision. Lara stumbled, her knees buckling, her vision a dizzy blur.

"So, Lara darling…" Kay's voice was smooth, almost sing-song, a tone too soft for the words it carried. "Your last trip with me. Lucky, lucky you, baby."

She tilted her head, grinning like a predator.

I almost feel sorry for you. Almost.

Lara tried to wrench her hand free, but her strength failed her. Kay dragged her closer to the railings, the dark waters churning below.

Kay's hand slid to Lara's neck, fingers pressing lightly at first.

"Listen, Lara… I never had a problem with you. Never," she whispered, her voice laced with a venomous sweetness. "But you just couldn't keep your ears closed, could you? You heard something… you shouldn't have."

Bad habit, snooping. A very, very bad habit.

Lara coughed, her breath shallow, trying to step back.

Kay's grip tightened, nails biting into skin. Don't let her run. Don't give her a chance.

"Don't you dare move," Kay hissed suddenly, her own heartbeat pounding in her ears. "By the way… why leave us like this? How will Dora aunty live without you? Please… don't die… don't commit suicide."

Her free hand brushed a phantom tear from her cheek with the tip of her middle finger, her smile sharp and eerie.

God, I should win an award for this act. No one will ever suspect me.

Lara's voice cracked through the night: "W-what… what the hell are you… say…ing? I'm not… committing… suicide… don't you dare… do anything… David will… kill you—"

The name snapped something inside Kay. Her eyes narrowed.

David. Always David. You think he'd save you? He wouldn't even believe you.

The slap landed with a sharp crack, sending Lara reeling.

"Oh really? Whatever." Kay's grin widened into something feral. "Goodbye, baby. I swear I'll never miss you. See you in heaven."

She bent down, untying the rope binding Lara's wrists and ankles. For a moment, Lara felt the cold night air against her freed skin, a faint spark of hope.

Poor thing thinks she's safe now, Kay thought, her grin curling. What a shame.

Kay leaned close, whispering almost lovingly, "Goodbye, Lara… I might miss you a little. Don't complain to God about me, okay? Muah."

With a sudden, merciless shove, Kay pushed her over the rail.

Lara's cry was swallowed by the river as her body plunged into the dark water below.

Kay stood still, watching the ripples fade. The night seemed to grow silent.

It's done. No one will ever know. I'm free.

She turned back to the car, forcing her heartbeat to slow.

Calm down, Kay. You're fine. Just drive. Just smile.

At the Mansion

The Stevenson mansion's front light glowed as Kay rang the bell. Her hands trembled slightly, but she pressed them together, smoothing her expression.

Miss Dora opened the door, relief and worry etched deep into her face.

"Kay, my child… you're here. Where is Lara?"

Kay's mind raced. Smile. Act normal.

"L-Lara? How would I know, Aunt?" she stammered, dabbing at the sweat on her forehead.

Miss Dora's eyes widened. "But… I told her to bring you to the designer for the wedding outfits. It's too late now… she never came back. You're saying she wasn't with you?"

Miss Dora sank onto the couch, pressing a hand to her temple, her voice breaking.

Kay forced a nervous laugh, though inside, panic twisted like a knife.

Keep it together. She can't know. No one can know.

David appeared then, tall, shoulders tense, Harry in his arms. Kay's breath hitched.

He's mine. He has to be mine. No one else matters. No one.

"Hello," Kay said softly, trying to catch his eye.

Harry squirmed from David's arms and ran to Miss Dora instead, burying his face in her lap.

Miss Dora clutched him tightly, her voice shaking. "Oh, my child… thank God you're here. I'm so tense…"

David's brows knitted together. "What happened, Mom?"

Miss Dora explained, her words tumbling out. David's jaw set hard.

"Mom, don't worry. I'll call the cops."

The Investigation

The police arrived within the hour. Kay sat in a corner, her hands clasped, her face calm.

Be confident. Don't tremble. You're innocent. You're David's fiancée. Remember that.

A policeman approached. "And you are?"

Kay straightened, her voice steady. "Kay. David's fiancée," she replied, offering her details with perfect composure.

Inside, though, her mind spun.

What if they find something? Did I leave anything behind? No… no, you were careful. You're always careful. Just breathe.

Miss Dora wrung her hands as the officers promised to search for Lara.

"Don't worry, ma'am," the officer said gently. "We'll find her."

Kay excused herself soon after, feigning exhaustion. David didn't even look at her as she left, his shoulders rigid with unspoken anger.

Why did he ignore me? Does he suspect something? No. Stop it, Kay. Stop thinking like that.

She stepped out into the night, the cool air brushing her flushed cheeks.

Why do I feel hollow? I should feel… triumphant. Instead I feel… hunted.

Two Days Later

The next morning, Kay called Miss Dora, pretending concern.

"Any news?"

"Nothing yet," Miss Dora replied, her voice weary. Kay exhaled a soft sigh of false sorrow, though real relief swelled in her chest.

See? You're fine. You got away with it.

But on the third day, everything shifted.

David's phone rang. A police officer's voice: "We've found a body in the river. Please come identify."

The Reveal

At the riverside, the world tilted. The officer lifted the cloth from the pale, lifeless face.

Miss Dora's scream pierced the air as her knees gave way.

It was Lara.

David caught his mother, his own face drained of color, his heart a storm.

She's dead… Lara's dead.

And miles away, Kay sat alone, gripping a glass of water, her hands trembling.

They found her. They found her. But they can't prove anything… can they?

For the first time, her pulse roared in her ears, a whisper rising in her mind:

You're not safe, Kay. You'll never be safe now.