In flesh and blood

At the police station, Frances, Anne, and Roberts stood near the lifeless bodies of James and Kevin. The room was heavy with silence.

"Oh no…" Frances whispered, her voice barely audible.

"No blood—how come?" Anne asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

Roberts shook his head gravely. "I think she messed with their internal organs."

Frances's heart sank. "What is wrong with Selina?"

"I've called the ambulance. They'll come to pick up the bodies. We have four victims now," Roberts replied, urgency creeping into his voice.

"This can't be happening," Anne muttered, her hands trembling. "I need to understand what happened to my friend."

Frances's eyes glistened with guilt. "It's all my fault. I was barely present in her life."

"It's also my fault," Anne added, her voice cracking.

"This is no time to blame yourselves," Roberts interjected firmly. "We have to find Selina before more people get hurt."

"Come on, Aunt. I'll take you home," Anne said, her tone softening. "Officer Roberts, we'll contact you if we learn anything about Selina."

"Thank you for your cooperation," Roberts replied, nodding.

"Let's go, Aunt." They exited, the weight of the situation lingering in the air.

At Selina's mansion, Selina stood before a large portrait of her father, raising a glass in a silent toast. "Cheers to you, Daddy. I'm coming for you. Expect me soon."

At Thomas's house, Anne entered, her disheveled appearance betraying her inner turmoil. Thomas sat on the couch, engrossed in the television.

"This is a nightmare…" Anne exclaimed, her voice tinged with frustration.

"Where are you coming from?" he asked, barely looking up.

"What kind of question is that? I should be asking you about your job that keeps you out so late," she retorted.

"That's none of your business," he shot back.

"Oh, but my whereabouts are your business?" she countered, her irritation boiling over.

"Yes, because I'm your fiancé," Thomas insisted, finally turning to face her.

"And what am I to you? I don't have time for this argument. I have enough to deal with already," she snapped.

"This discussion isn't over, Anne," he said, a hint of anger in his voice.

"It is for me," she replied defiantly.

"You still haven't answered my question," he pressed.

"Listen, just because your father is a billionaire and you're a millionaire doesn't give you the right to control my life," she retorted, her voice firm.

"Is that what you think?" he asked, disbelief etched on his face.

"Absolutely. My life is mine to live. Besides, we're not even married yet," Anne stated, crossing her arms.

"You understand what this means for your family business, right?" Thomas warned.

Anne glared at him, her patience worn thin. "To hell with the business, and to hell with you!"

"You'll regret this," he said, his voice laced with menace as he stormed out.

Anne let out a long sigh, frustration coursing through her. "This day just keeps getting worse."

Suddenly, Selina entered, disguised as a journalist with a notepad and pen in hand.

"Miss, may I ask…" Selina began.

"No! Get out. I don't want to see or talk to you. Who let you in?" Anne interrupted, her voice sharp.

"Please, it's just me," Selina insisted, her demeanor calm.

"What do you want?" Anne demanded.

"Do you really know your friend Selina?" Selina asked, her gaze piercing.

"Of course, she's my best friend," Anne replied, her defensiveness rising.

"Do you understand what drove her to madness?" Selina pressed.

"Hey, she's not mad," Anne shot back.

"I apologize. But what do you think caused this change in her?" Selina continued, her tone probing.

"I'm not sure. Selina has endured so much, but she's making a terrible mistake by harming others," Anne admitted, anguish creeping into her voice.

"What do you think the solution is? What would she have done?" Selina asked, her curiosity unwavering.

"She would have reported the case to the police. Her diary is evidence," Anne explained.

"Do you think she didn't try that?" Selina inquired.

"Actually, she did, but she didn't show the police her diary," Anne replied, a hint of doubt creeping in.

"Do you think that would have solved her problem? They might have said she made it up or dismissed her entirely. The police could have destroyed the diary," Selina argued.

"Why are you saying this? It's as if you're in her situation or have gone through it yourself," Anne said, suspicion evident in her voice.

"I'm a journalist. I know what the situation would feel like," Selina stated matter-of-factly.

"You're making me feel even guiltier than I already do." Anne's voice cracked as tears threatened to spill. "This is all my fault. I never visited her in the hospital. I was held down by my parents, the business, Thomas, and Mia. I wish I could talk to her and apologize."

"It's not too late, Anne. You can do it now," Selina urged, her expression earnest.

Suddenly, Anne stopped crying and her eyes widened in realization. "S-S-Selina… oh my God. It is really you."

"In flesh and blood," Selina replied, a smirk playing on her lips. "I was pleased with everything you said. Welcome back to the family."

Anne embraced Selina tightly, tears of relief streaming down her face. "Selina, please do not kill another person."

"It's too late, Anne. Four are already down. I have to finish what I started," Selina said coldly.

"What happened in the mental hospital? What turned you into a criminal? How did you manage to hold a weapon and kill people?" Anne asked, her voice trembling.

"It's a long story. I'll work on that story in my diary, but just know it was thanks to my sweet daddy," Selina replied with an eerie calm.

"Selina…" Anne whispered, desperation creeping into her tone.

"I'll tell you a secret, as my way of saying thank you for still taking me as your friend, for still believing in me, for still standing by my side," Selina said, her expression shifting.

"It's our motto… Anne for Selina…" Anne began.

"Selina for Anne. Your parents have been writing your life script since you were born, and they are still at it," Selina interrupted.

"What do you mean?" Anne asked, confusion lacing her words.

"You're a fool if you think Thomas engaged you and wants to marry you because he likes you," Selina stated bluntly.

"He likes me, and I like him too," Anne insisted, hurt flashing in her eyes.

"Poor Anne, now it's your time to suffer. Do you know where he's always been when he comes home late? Drinking and spending money on women. He has another girlfriend he cherishes a lot and is planning on marrying. You know that girl, but I won't tell you. You should find out yourself, bestie," Selina taunted.

"That's not true," Anne protested, shaking her head.

"Believe me or not, bestie, it's your life, not mine. And for the record, my life is going well at the moment," Selina replied, a hint of triumph in her voice.

"You're lying to me. You want me to suffer," Anne accused.

"True, but not anymore. I got what I needed to hear. Oh, before I forget, your parents are aware of the fact that he doesn't love you," Selina said, her tone laced with malice.

"Stop it, Selina," Anne pleaded, desperation creeping into her voice.

"He's doing all this because of your parents and the business. Your parents are lovers of money, and Thomas is a womanizer, just like my sweet daddy," Selina declared.

"Trash talk," Anne replied, trying to dismiss her words.

"That's what you think for now, but trust me, you will think about it later. Bye-bye, bestie," Selina said, flashing a sinister smile as she exited.

Anne stood there, tears of confusion and anger welling up in her eyes. "No, this isn't true. She is trying to mess with my mind."