Leah watched the confusion spread across the woman's face.
"Can you explain why this is happening to my child? Why is Ashley's soul imprisoned? She's not even dead!" Sharlene demanded, her voice trembling with fear and anger.
"That's her fault—Leah's fault," Felicia interrupted coldly, her eyes narrowing at Leah. She was used to being blamed, so she remained calm, locking eyes with Sharlene.
"I have so many questions… Why are we here? What is this place?" Sharlene's voice cracked as questions poured out one after another.
Leah sighed deeply. "Sharlene," she said gently, her tone layered with meaning. She stood slowly from her chair, facing her.
"I know the answers you seek are already within you," she said. "I don't know whose side you'll take or what choice you'll make…"
"Just don't involve my child," Sharlene interrupted, her fists clenched. "Whatever sin I or my grandmother have committed, don't drag Ashley into this. Let her go. I'm already dealing with enough."
Leah said nothing.
"She's right," Felicia said, finally speaking up with a soft but serious tone. "Sharlene, when we leave this place, we'll help you. My friends, especially Ashley… they'll help. I know how much pain you're in. Please trust us. Trust us to help you and bring peace to our souls."
Sharlene hesitated, her gaze flickering to Felicia and then back to Leah, who was now smiling faintly, shaking her head.
"Why did you imprison my child?" Sharlene demanded, her voice rising. "You still haven't answered that."
"I was the one who locked her up," Leah admitted without flinching. "I did it."
"What did my child ever do to you?" Sharlene's voice burned with fury.
"You're speaking to a cursed soul," Felicia warned. "Leah will bring nothing but harm."
"I did it," Leah said coolly, "because I wanted to."
"Release her," Sharlene said, voice low with threat. "Or I'll release Grandma."
But Leah's smile didn't fade. "That's not something I'll allow."
"What made you so full of rage?" Sharlene asked. "You weren't like this when I first met you. What changed?"
Leah laughed quietly. "You'll find out—eventually. If you really want the truth, look into the past. You can do it, even without your grandmother's help."
"Grandma," Sharlene turned to Felicia. "Are you the reason I keep seeing Leah's past?"
"Yes," Felicia admitted. "I wanted you to understand. I wanted peace. Once you've seen enough and freed us, I'll leave you in peace. This was for your own good."
Sharlene didn't respond right away. She approached the place where Ashley's soul was trapped and placed a hand on the barrier.
"I'll come back, my child," she whispered. "Don't give up."
Then she turned to Leah and the others. "I will return. I'll uncover the truth myself—whether I choose to free you or not."
"Sharlene—" Felicia's voice trembled with pleading.
"I'll come back, Grandma," Sharlene said, cutting her off. Her form shimmered, then vanished—her consciousness pulled back to the living world. Silence fell over them.
Leah sat down, a soft laugh escaping her lips. Felicia's plan to manipulate Sharlene had failed.
"Felicia! She was our key—was that really your grandchild?" Manuel snapped, furious.
Felicia remained silent as her companions continued to lay blame on her.
"Did you really think she was that naïve?" Leah said with a smirk.
Felicia glared at her, shaking with rage, but Leah only turned away.
She went to Ashley's prison and touched the wall gently.
Why did you lie to Mom? Why didn't you tell her you saved me? Ashley's voice whispered in Leah's mind.
Leah didn't answer. You'll be free soon, she promised silently. I'll lift your grandmother's curse.
She left the prison and emerged from her self-made prison of darkness. With a wave of her hand, she transported herself to an old mansion—her former home.
The air was heavy with memories. Some of her old acquaintances had long fled this place, and the joy it once held was buried beneath years of sorrow.
She wandered through the hallways until she reached her old bedroom. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she chuckled bitterly.
"You were so foolish, Leah," she muttered to herself.
She had given everything for love—her body, her loyalty, her dignity. She had been a good wife, a respectful daughter-in-law. And in return, she lost everything.
Leaving the room, she walked to a small grave nearby.
She remembered the day vividly: her wails of grief, her trembling hands as she dug the earth herself. Eight months pregnant. Her baby was nearly full term, but no one mourned with her. The loss shattered her world.
Even in death, she had found no peace.
They mocked me, she thought. Even when I pleaded for justice. Now it's my turn.
Felicia. Angely. Manuel.
You used an innocent girl. You still haven't changed.
She wandered among the living once more, brushing past them unnoticed. Their minds were full of worries, selfishness, and lies. Leah found herself more afraid of the living than the dead.
She watched them with silent disdain.
If not for that tragedy, she thought, I would still be here. Still alive. Still whole.