Bleeding

Charlotte's shriek grew more intense.

"No! You devil, you cannot!" she exclaimed.

"This house, this island, I must reclaim them first," Brian declared as he unexpectedly produced a thick document from his person, presenting it before Charlotte. "Vincent may not be here, but with you, there should be no issue. After all, this is the shared property of you, the married couple, isn't it? However, now it is not."

Brian walked over to the adjacent fireplace, fetching an exquisitely shaped white porcelain lighter from the nearby shelf. He ignited the document.

The document instantly burst into flames, startling Marigold. She quickly found the nearest metal trash can and caught the burning paper to prevent the fire from igniting the carpet below.

She knelt directly on the ground, but as her knees touched the floor, the discomfort in her lower abdomen intensified.