CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:THE SILENT EXECUTION

Elena's mother had always been cautious, but now, I saw it—the doubt in her eyes.

She was watching me. Studying me.

At first, she kept it subtle, pretending not to notice the small differences. But I wasn't a fool.

I knew she suspected something.

At dinner, she would stare a little too long, searching my face for cracks in my disguise.

Late at night, I felt her presence outside my door, listening.

She was waiting for me to slip.

One evening, I caught her looking at me from across the hall.

"You're not my daughter," she whispered under her breath when no one else was around.

I tilted my head, smiling. "And yet, here I am."

She clenched her fists. "I'll make them see. You can't fool everyone forever."

I leaned in, close enough for her to feel my breath against her ear.

"Try," I whispered, "and you'll regret it."

She didn't listen.

That night, as I stood in front of my mirror, I saw her shadow lurking just outside my room.

She was watching me again.

That was her last mistake.

Without hesitation, I grabbed a heavy glass shard from the broken mirror, the jagged edge glinting in the dim light.

Then, in one swift movement, I lunged.

She barely had time to react before I pressed the shard against her throat.

Her eyes widened, panic setting in, but I didn't hesitate.

One quick, silent slash.

Warm blood trickled down my hand as her body slumped.

No screams. No struggle. Just silence.

I stood there for a moment, watching the life drain from her eyes.

Then, without wasting another second, I dragged her lifeless body out into the darkness.

The streets would claim her now.

Let them wonder.

Let them fear.

Elena was more dangerous than ever.

Leon still had no idea.

But soon, he would.

And when he did…

I would be the last thing he ever saw.

The morning light barely touched the horizon when I ran into the hallway, my voice echoing through the house.

"Mom! Mom!"

My cries were filled with panic, my hands trembling as I clutched my chest. I played my role well—eyes wide with fear, breath ragged as if I had just woken from a nightmare.

Leon and the others rushed toward me, their faces filled with confusion.

"What's wrong?" Leon grabbed my arms, shaking me slightly.

I swallowed hard, letting fake tears well up in my eyes. "I—I had a terrible dream."

Everyone stood in silence, waiting for me to explain.

"I saw a shadow… a woman," I whispered, voice shaking. "She stood in my room, watching me. And then she spoke."

Leon narrowed his eyes. "Spoke? What did she say?"

I took a deep breath, making sure my next words left a lasting impact.

"She said… 'You won't enjoy for long.'"

The room fell into dead silence.

His fake father exchanged uneasy glances.

"She's not in her room," one of the guards suddenly announced. "Elena's mother is missing."

Chaos erupted. Everyone searched the house, checking every room, every corner, but she was nowhere to be found.

Leon called for an investigation immediately.

Hours later, the news arrived.

"She's dead," a guard reported grimly. "Her body was found on the roadside."

Gasps filled the room. The fake family stood frozen in shock.

Leon's fists clenched, his eyes dark with rage.

"How? Who could've done this?"

I held my face in my hands, pretending to be horrified. But inside, I was laughing.

Leon ordered increased security. Guards were stationed at every entrance. No one could leave or enter without permission.

"Whoever did this," Leon growled, "they'll regret it."

His fake father nodded. "We need to be more careful. If they got to her, they could come for us next."

Everyone was on edge. But me?

I was satisfied.

Let them be paranoid.

Let them fear.

I had won this round.

But the game was far from over.