Chapter 2

Her mind was fuzzy, but she could still make out the man's mocking voice. "I put in all that work to get you. You think I'd let you die just to meet Nora in the afterlife? Too easy on you." Then came the sharp sound of the door slamming shut. Isabella's tears slipped down uncontrollably. Why? Why did it feel like they were physically close, but their hearts just kept drifting further apart? Everyone in Eastward City knew Isabella as the woman who would do anything to get what she wanted. She'd gone after her sister Nora's boyfriend, Desmond, and even pushed Nora into a river for him. Sisters turning on each other—it sounded wild enough to be a movie plot. Dressed in all black, Isabella quietly approached Nora's grave. Just as she looked up, she spotted a small group of people—her parents, and Desmond. Looking down at the white calla lilies in her hand, she hesitated, not sure if she should go over. Then a voice rang out. "Well, well, if it isn't Mrs. Marson. What, too ashamed to show your face at your sister's memorial?" It was Amelia Wright, Nora's close friend from before. Her voice was loud, and the others turned around at the noise. Isabella froze, then forced a smile and walked over quickly, holding out the flowers. But before she could even reach, Mr. Bennett slapped them out of her hands. "Why are you here? I don't have a daughter like you!" Her smile stiffened. She stammered, "Dad, please… you have to believe me. I didn't kill Nora." Mr. Bennett didn't even blink. He raised his hand and hit her across the face. "Just 'cause the law can't prove it was you doesn't mean you didn't do it. Don't take us for fools." Isabella stood there, stunned. He pointed toward the road. "Get out. And if I see you again, I'll break your legs myself!" The sun was blazing as Isabella walked away, one step at a time. Her father's furious face kept flashing in her mind, and Desmond's cold, distant eyes beside him. Was she hurt by it? Of course she was. Today wasn't just Nora's memorial—it felt like Isabella's personal doomsday. Everyone believed Nora's death was her fault. Her parents, who already weren't fond of her, grew to downright despise her. They all said she'd pushed Nora into the river, but that wasn't how it happened. It was this same time last year, just as scorching hot. She had gone out with Nora to play by the riverside. Nora had asked her to pick some fruit nearby, and she did. But when she turned back, arms full of fruit—Nora was gone. All that was left floating in the river was her pale blue dress. Panicking, Isabella jumped in to look for her, but the current was too strong. She couldn't find her anywhere. Right when she was about to pass out from exhaustion, Desmond dragged her out. Back from the edge of death, she clung to him, terrified. But Desmond shoved her away the moment he saw her. His face was like thunder. "Where's Nora?" Crying, she pointed at the river and told him everything. Desmond instantly leapt into the water, and his bodyguards followed. But no one found anything. With Desmond's resources, he could've found anyone—but not a single trace of Nora in a whole year. That river led straight to the sea. The odds of her surviving were practically zero. But because only Isabella had been there when it happened—and because she had feelings for Desmond—the whole "jealous sister turns killer" story spread like wildfire Lips cracked from dehydration, Isabella licked them lightly. One year. No trace of life, no body. No matter what she said, no one was going to believe her.