Chapter 2

"Mason, could you close the window? I'm feeling a bit chilly."

A gust of cold wind blew through, making me shiver.

"Sure."

I heard a voice respond, followed by the sound of a door opening.

"Hmm... I asked you to close the window. Why are you opening the door?"

Mason didn't answer. Instead, a woman's voice rang out.

"Rosalie, you bitch!"

I jolted awake from my slumber to find Vienna standing in front of me, her expression contorted, with her hands behind her back.

"Rosalie, if it weren't for you, Mason and I would never have split up."

"You stole my husband back then, and now you want to hog my lottery winnings too? You're so vicious! I've wasted all these years pouring my heart out to you!"

Vienna's long tirade left me completely dumbfounded.

"Wait a second!"

In the moonlight, I could faintly make out the knife Vienna was hiding behind her back.

Not daring to make any sudden moves, I tried to think of a way to calm her down.

"What kind of relationship do you have with Mason? How did I steal your husband? Mason was the one who pursued me. How did that turn into me being a homewrecker?""And Vienna, that lottery ticket did win, but I didn't keep all the money for myself. I gave it all to you, Vienna - the full three million, not a penny less!"

"Vienna, we've known each other since college. We went to school together, worked together. I never thought there'd be a day when you'd come to interrogate me like this."

I sat on the bed, my eyes red and brimming with tears, looking at her with a vulnerable expression.

Vienna seemed slightly moved, visible hesitation in her eyes.

"Vienna, we've been friends for so long. You know what kind of person I am. I would never keep something that belongs to you."

"I've already returned the lottery ticket. And Mason... if you want him, I won't stand in your way, Vienna..."

When I mentioned the lottery ticket, Vienna still seemed hesitant, but when I offered to give up Mason, her murderous intent towards me visibly dissipated.

Before I could breathe a sigh of relief, Mason spoke up.

"Vienna, she's definitely lying to you. If it wasn't for her seducing me, how could I have possibly left you to pursue her?"

"I'm such a catch. If you were in her shoes, would you be willing to give me up?"Mason, what about the lottery? How could she think she had too much money? If she's willing to give you $3 million, she must have won even more!"

I listened to Mason's words, fear rising in my heart.

Sure enough, Vienna's eyes were red with hatred.

"Exactly! How could you possibly give me everything? You're just a poor girl, how could you let go of your Prince Charming and a fortune falling from the sky?"

"What?"

I couldn't help but utter a confused response, too shocked to say more.

"Who told you I was poor? I..."

Mason's face changed as he roared, cutting me off.

"Vienna, do it!"

Vienna moved with his words, raising the knife in her hand and stabbing down at me viciously.

Mason, to prevent me from saying anything that could harm him, chose to pin me down on the bed, covering my nose with his hand.

The natural difference in strength made my resistance almost useless.

With my sight and smell blocked, my hearing and sense of touch became even more acute.

I heard the blade piercing my skin, pushing into my flesh, felt the cold steel twisting in my body.

It wasn't until the final stab, the one aimed at my heart, that I finally lost consciousness.