One Ring, The End of Us

I stood against the door for a long, long time. My legs went numb before I finally managed to calm down.

Since I couldn't get out, I might as well start packing what was mine.

I threw every dress, every handbag Randolph had ever given me into the trash.

It wasn't until I was done that I realized.

All I could actually take with me was an ID card and my personal documents.

Nothing else.

Randolph didn't let me out until the following evening, for dinner.

He noticed the things in the trash. I saw him pause.

"What kind of tantrum is this?"

I just smiled faintly.

"They got old. I stopped liking them. So I tossed them."

That shut him up. He was quiet for a beat, and when he spoke again, it was in that tone of his, the one that made everything sound like charity:

"I'll buy you new ones in a couple days. Consider it an apology."

"Come eat. And be nice to Nanette. She's only staying a few days."

"Stop being jealous and picking fights with her."

He paused at the end, just slightly.

"Burning those things... I may have gone too far."

"But people need to move forward. The director's been gone a long time now."

I nodded. My voice was flat.

"Fine."

He'd gotten what should have been my forgiveness, but something about it made Randolph uneasy.

I was standing right in front of him, yet he felt like I was already far away.

Tomorrow was the last day of my arrangement with the Gilbert family.

My plan was simple: wake up, go through with the surgery, and leave.

But in the dead of night, the bedroom door slammed open. Before I could even register what was happening, Randolph hauled me out of bed and dragged me down the hall to the room next door.

His grip was brutal, like he wanted to break me apart. The moment he let go, I slammed into the wall. Pain exploded across my back and my vision went black.

Before I could recover, his voice came down from above, raw with fury.

"Crystal, is this how badly you can't stand Nanette? You're so jealous you'd drug her?"

My ears rang. My vision swam, then slowly focused.

On the bed, Nanette's cheeks were flushed, her clothes disheveled. She was practically draped over Randolph, whimpering and pressing herself into his arms.

"It wasn't me."

My voice was hoarse, but I forced the words out. "I didn't do anything like that."

The moment I finished speaking, Nanette flinched as though she'd been struck. The tears came instantly.

"Crystal... the only thing I ate tonight was the dessert you had the housekeeper bring me. I didn't touch anything else..."

"I had someone bring you dessert?" I stared at her, my expression ice cold.

"You burned the director's keepsakes, and you think I'd send you a treat? Nanette, do you really think that highly of yourself?"

My voice dropped lower, shaking with barely contained rage. "And what would I even gain from drugging you? If you're going to frame someone, at least come up with a believable story."

"Enough with the excuses."

Randolph cut in, irritation thick in his voice.

"The housekeeper already admitted you told her to do it."

"Witness and evidence, both accounted for. How am I supposed to believe you?"

The cold seeped into my chest, inch by inch. I hadn't imagined that in Randolph's mind, I was someone capable of this.

"What witness? What evidence?"

I bit down hard on my lip, the words grinding out between my teeth.

"This house has security cameras everywhere. If you really think I did it, then check the footage. One look and you'll know the truth."

I held his gaze, stubborn, refusing to bend.

I would not confess to something I didn't do.

Randolph hesitated. Just for a second.

But then Nanette let out a soft, shuddering gasp and clung to him tighter, her voice trembling and paper-thin.

"Randolph, it hurts so much... please help me, please..."

Her collar had slipped. Pale skin spilled into view.

Randolph's hand froze. Instinct told him to push her away.

But Nanette ducked her head and sank her teeth into her own arm without a moment's hesitation. Hard.

Blood welled up instantly.

Bright red, streaming down her skin. Impossible to look away from.

"I know you only see me as a little sister, Randolph. I know this whole marriage these past few days was just an act. It's my fault for letting myself get lost in how sweet it felt, for letting myself imagine you might care about me, even a little..."

Her voice shook. The tears fell harder.

"I'll handle it myself. Don't worry about me. I don't want to be a burden to either of you anymore..."

Randolph's expression changed completely. He grabbed her arm to stop her from biting down again, pulling her into his arms to hold her still. When he spoke, his voice was rough and strained.

"Stop hurting yourself. I'll help you."