Forced to Sign for His Lover's Crime

Morgan crouched beside me, her eyes spewing venom. "Perfect. One less headache for me."

Her laughter grated on my eardrums. She raised her stiletto and stomped on my hand. Pain seared through me, my bones cracking under the force. I screamed, nearly blacking out.

Benedetta's shallow gasps, the crowd's taunts, Morgan's cackling, and the agony in my hand merged into a living nightmare.

Morgan leaned closer, sneering. "Think you're clever? My man runs this place, and that dying brat is nothing. Only idiots like you spin lies this pathetic."

Benedetta's face was turning blue. Desperate, I shouted, "I'm telling the truth! She is Nick's sister, and I'm his girlfriend. Call him if you don't believe me!"

"You? His girlfriend?" Morgan scoffed. "Don't make me laugh. You're not even in his league."

She dangled Benedetta's life like a bargaining chip. "Want an ambulance? Sure. Get on your knees and beg in front of my viewers."

I looked at Benedetta, whose face twisted in pain. She croaked, "Jennifer, don't."

Her breath was fading, the dire situation crushing me. I dropped to my knees. "I'm sorry."

Morgan cackled, pointing at me. "Look at her, groveling like a dog."

Her crew joined in, their laughter a cruel chorus.

I swallowed the humiliation, looking up at her. "I did what you asked. Call the ambulance now."

Her smirk widened, her eyes gleaming with sadistic joy. "You actually bought that? God, you're dumber than I thought."

"No!" Tears burned my eyes, spilling down my cheeks as Benedetta's body jerked, her eyes going glassy.

She reached out a trembling hand, brushing a tear from my face. "Jennifer, I'm sorry."

Her apology was for my shame, for Nick's betrayal, and for the world that failed her. Her hand fell limp, and her breathing stopped.

"Benedetta? Wake up!" I shook her, but she didn't respond.

I'd never imagined a simple trip to the hub would end with Morgan killing her. I broke down, my cries raw and guttural.

Morgan's assistant checked Benedetta's pulse and shrieked, "Morgan, she's really dead! What do we do?"

Morgan frowned, unconcerned. "She came here to cause trouble. Her death is not my problem. Nick's got friends at the precinct. We're golden."

Her crew relaxed, but my rage exploded. I surged to my feet, my hands closing around her throat. "You monster!"

I wanted her to pay with her life.