As dawn approached, the bar grew quiet. Javier hadn't slept, but his mind was sharp and clear. He whistled a leisurely tune as he walked, ignoring the dark red splatters of blood that marred his crisp white shirt—the only sign of the violence he'd just enacted.
"Javier."
At the intersection, a soft voice called his name. Javier stopped, frowning as he turned to see the girl standing in the middle of the street.
"You certainly know how to find the fun, don't you?" he sneered.
Elena stood there, meticulously dressed and made up, looking like a misplaced doll in the morning light. She looked bitterly at his sarcastic smile. "We need to talk. Properly."
Javier arched an eyebrow. "You and me? Talk about what? Or do you just think the last check wasn't enough? Is it more money you want?"
"Javier, don't be so cruel!" Elena's eyes welled with tears of humiliation. She simply couldn't let go of their years together, despite the toxicity. She had hoped their last blowout at the hospital was just a moment of heat, never expecting to see this wretched, blood-stained side of him.
Javier watched her cry with nothing but annoyance. Just as he turned to leave, her voice turned shrill.
"You like Amanda, don't you? Fighting your uncle, taking over the group... those are all just excuses, aren't they?"
Ever since Amanda married his youngest uncle, Javier's obsession had become undeniable. Javier froze, then burst into a mocking laugh. "Hah! I always thought Amanda was the stupid one, but you've just proven me wrong. You're the winner in that category."
Elena stood paralyzed as he stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Right now, I probably do like her more than you. If you're so bored that you're lurking on street corners, go fix your own mess."
As he saw the hatred flare in her eyes, he shrugged. "Hate me all you want. But remember—I tolerated you trying to murder Amanda several times. I can just as easily let others do the same to you."
Elena shivered. No one understood Javier's sinister capacity for cruelty better than she did. Satisfied with the fear in her eyes, Javier walked away. He didn't see the way Elena's expression distorted into something truly terrifying.
She pulled out her phone and dialed a number she had once sworn to ignore. "Mr. Carter... I accept your offer. But that role must be mine."
"Room 502 at the Kimbell Hotel," the voice on the other end replied. "I'll be waiting."
Elena had reached a dead end. With nothing left to lose, she was ready to pay any price to bring down those who had oppressed her. No one would be spared.
The Rose Garden Trap
A few days after the New Year, Amanda's health fluctuated again, making her the "special" focus of the household. She lay lazily on a soft bed in a sun-drenched glass room overlooking the red rose garden. While the scene was peaceful, Amanda's expression was cold as ice as she held a phone to her ear.
"Do you like the gift I sent you?" she asked indifferently.
"Who is this?" a man's voice barked from the other end, thick with rage.
Amanda's lips curled. "Who I am is less important than the secret I gave you."
The man snorted. "Bullshit. You think I'll believe some anonymous pictures?"
"Truth takes time to prove," Amanda replied coolly. "I don't believe for a second that you won't investigate."
"You've got guts, girl," the man said, his voice sharpening. "Do you think an anonymous message protects you? I can find you."
Amanda chuckled softly. "It doesn't matter. We'll meet in the end regardless."
"What do you want?"
Amanda leaned forward, looking at the vibrant red roses. Their color seemed to mirror the fire in her heart. "I want Javier's life."
There was a long silence on the line. "Then I'll wait to see if you have the skills to back that up."
"I look forward to our meeting. Goodbye."
She hung up and closed her eyes, letting the coldness leave her body. She had been patient for so long; it was finally time to pull in the net.
The Fire in the Glass Room
Quentin walked in to find her curled under a blanket and approached her gently. "Go back to the bedroom and get some real sleep."
Amanda opened her eyes and shifted, resting her head on his thigh. "I have to return to the film set tomorrow. I want to spend every minute with you."
Quentin stroked her hair. Lately, she had become more attached to him than ever, prompting him to clear his busy schedule. "Then stay home. There's no need to go back to work."
Amanda sat up immediately in protest. "No! I need to build my own career!"
Quentin's eyes darkened with playfulness. He lunged forward, catching her in a hug and rolling onto the soft bed until Amanda was pinned beneath—then on top of—him. She laughed, reaching out to poke at his handsome face. "How old are you, playing games like this?"
"Is there an age limit on playing around?" Quentin grabbed her hands and flipped her again, pressing her into the mattress. He leaned close, his breath warm against her lips. "I was thinking of moving the wedding date up. What do you think?"
Amanda teased him, "What's the matter? Afraid your bride will run away?"
Quentin kissed her hand softly. "The bride can't run away from me. I just... can't wait any longer."
"You're very confident for someone who made me cry a few days ago," she poked his chest.
Quentin's expression turned solemn. He looked at her with genuine regret. "I was wrong. Please... forgive me, and marry me properly. Will you?"
Amanda hadn't expected him to be so vulnerable. Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, she leaned down and kissed his cheek. "We already have the certificate, Quentin. I'm not afraid of a wedding."
Quentin laughed, his heart lighter, and pulled her down for a passionate kiss.
"Did you lock the door?" Amanda whispered mischievously.
"Yes."
"And this glass... it's one-way, right?"
"It is."
Fifteen minutes later, Quentin was leaned against the wall, his breathing ragged, the veins in his forehead prominent. "Mandy!"
Amanda looked up at him, her lips red and her eyes gleaming with a naughty spark. "Do you like it?"
Quentin's throat was bone-dry. He gritted his teeth and pulled her against his chest. "Where on earth did you learn that?"
Amanda smiled, straddling him and answering with action rather than words. "The moment I met you, I just knew how. No study required."
Quentin's breathing hitched as she moved. The world narrowed down to the heat between them. He gripped her waist tightly, his voice dropping to a dangerous, low growl. "Then let's see exactly how far you can go today."
He lifted her, pressing her against the glass. With every movement, Amanda's consciousness blurred until there was only him. In the glass room, their bodies entwined as the sun shyly retreated toward the horizon, leaving them in the glow of their own fire.