Chapter 28

Lila grabbed the knife Ava had just used, her eyes cold. "You wanted to kill me, right? But I'm not like you. I won’t kill you," Lila said with a twisted smile curling at her lips. But that smile? It wasn’t comforting—it was the kind that sent chills down your spine. Ava and Mrs. White were already sobbing, their bodies shaking uncontrollably, too terrified to even speak. Lila pressed the cold blade against Ava’s cheek, moving it slowly across her skin, just enough to let her feel the threat. Ava's panic was plain as day—every tiny tremble gave her away. "Please! It was all my mom! I had nothing to do with it!" Ava cried desperately. Lila laughed, the sound low and mocking, and without warning, drove the knife hard into Ava’s thigh. The scream that followed echoed in the warehouse, mixing with the sharp scent of blood. "Hurts, doesn’t it?" Lila asked, voice icy. Ava was too stunned to answer. Her eyes locked with Lila’s, filled with pure, unfiltered fear—as if she were staring straight