16#16

15

Katherine, barely lucid from the agony, glimpsed the loathing burning in Terry's eyes. In that instant, she realized her machinations had unraveled.

With nothing left to lose, she succumbed to hysterical sobs.

"You think you're blameless, Terry?" she spat through her tears.

"Wendy informed you of her illness, but where were you? On holiday with me!"

"The day she passed, she called you repeatedly. You labeled her a 'harbinger of doom,' remember?"

"While she lay dying, you were arranging our romantic dinner."

"And discontinuing her mother's medical treatment? That was your decision too."

"Accept it, you chose to believe me!"

Each statement pierced Terry like a dagger.

His eyes turned savage, his grip on the blade tightening as rage consumed him.

He stabbed Katherine's shoulder again. If not for the others restraining him, he might have ended her life then and there.

"You're correct," Terry muttered, releasing the knife.

"We're both despicable creatures."