Joy's Birthday

I was completely stunned, replaying that surveillance footage over and over. There was no mistake—her expression was one of gloating.

This realization sent chills down my spine. What did this woman truly mean? That expression... it was terrifying. She didn't come to genuinely check on me; she came to see my misery? Could it be that seeing me hurt brought her satisfaction?

Was she pleased to see me injured?

I dared to speculate—could she be behind this? Or at least involved? After all, she was the most likely person to know about May Wilson's invitation to meet.

No, no, no! Impossible? She wouldn't actually want me dead, would she?

I sat on the bed, hugging my head, endlessly pondering all possibilities.

I didn't know when Joy had returned, but seeing my expression on the bed, he quickly came over and placed a large hand on my shoulder. I hadn't heard him come in, and his touch startled me. I let out a scream, flailing my hands wildly.