“Seven years ago, that massive fire was my doing. I orchestrated it, hiring someone to hypnotize Estrella into starting the blaze. I wanted you to despise Estrella, to be grateful to me for 'saving' you. But then Serene came along, throwing a wrench in my plans. She was the reason I lost control of the situation, making everything far worse.”
“Her injuries, her fall from the balcony—it was all her own doing. No one forced her hand. I never intended for her to die. When I sent someone to find her, it was to gauge how much you and Estrella had uncovered, to see what evidence you had against me.”
“No one pushed her to jump. That was her own choice.”
As Holly confessed, Jason’s expression grew darker and colder. He looked straight at her, noticing her breathing grow fainter, her complexion paler, with veins of red in her eyes.
Their gazes locked, Holly said with a heavy breath, “Jason, you’ve got blood on your hands now. Can you live with that, knowing your relationship with Estrella is built on someone else’s life? If Estrella found out you killed me, could she still stay by your side? Aren’t you afraid my fate today could be hers tomorrow?”
Jason replied, “She’ll never be you.”
Eyelids heavy, Holly’s eyes slowly closed as she whispered, “Maybe I shouldn’t have come back.”
If she hadn’t returned, Serene wouldn’t have fallen, she wouldn’t have ended up in Jason’s grasp.
Clutching her chest, Holly slumped over the coffee table as Jason turned off the camera on the shelf and pulled out his phone.
---
As evening approached and he met Estrella outside the law firm, she mentioned, “I just got a call from the caregiver. Serene’s woken up.”
Hearing this, Jason started the car and headed straight to the hospital.
Upon arrival, the doctor informed them that Serene had briefly regained consciousness but had slipped back into a coma. However, she was out of the woods and on the mend.
Outside the ICU, Jason peered into Serene’s room, feeling overwhelmed by the year’s events.
It seemed Serene had a sixth sense, waking up right after he dealt with Holly.
Estrella listened intently to the doctor’s advice, nodding along, appreciating the care Jason and Holly had shown her.
Meanwhile, in another room.
When Holly slowly opened her eyes, she saw Catrina, Mr. Shen, and Korey by her bedside. She wasn’t surprised to be alive, nor did she ask any questions, as if she had anticipated this outcome.
Jason had drugged her, but he hadn’t taken her life.
“How are you feeling, Unique? Any discomfort?” Catrina asked, gently touching Holly’s forehead.
“Mom, I’m fine,” Holly whispered, her voice weak. “It’s over. It’s all over.”
The years of bitterness and gratitude between her, Jason, Estrella, and Serene had finally come to an end.
Her father simply frowned in silence.
Then, Holly turned to Korey, “Brother, this has nothing to do with you. Don’t get involved. I’ve made arrangements. I’m sorry for any trouble I’ve caused you.”
Korey remained silent upon hearing her words.
As Holly finished speaking, the room’s door opened, and several police officers entered. “Holly, are you able to give a statement now?”
Holly sat up, “Yes, I’ll accompany you to the station.”
After getting dressed, she went with the officers, accepting the consequences. Despite potential loopholes in Jason’s evidence collection, she didn’t recant but admitted to hypnotizing Estrella into starting the fire seven years ago, even naming the hypnotist involved.
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