The news of a mysterious attack on Sheila in her home spread quickly, shocking those who heard it.
"Deserved," Vivianne muttered, raising an eyebrow. She had seen Sheila's condition the night before—wounds covered her body, some deep and raw.
"Maybe some woman really did get angry and stormed into her house," she added offhandedly.
"Vivianne, enough," Sharlene said firmly, silencing her.
Vivianne held her tongue and sat back, unwilling to push further.
"I need to check the bill first," Sharlene said as she stood to leave the hospital room.
Vivianne sighed. "Don't bother. It's already been taken care of."
Sharlene turned to her, frowning. "What do you mean?"
"The pending bill has been paid. There was also an advance of one hundred thousand pesos made for Ashley."
Sharlene's brow furrowed. "W–Who paid?"
"Who else? Your wonderful husband," Vivianne said, meeting her gaze. "I suppose he still has a sliver of conscience left for the child."
A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. When Sharlene opened it, she was met by a familiar face—one of Sheila's lawyers and her known lover.
"What are you doing here?" she asked coldly.
"The police would like to ask a few questions regarding what happened to Sheila Atienza," he explained calmly.
Vivianne's expression tightened.
"What do you mean?" Sharlene asked, stepping forward. "Are you accusing me of attacking her?"
"You were seen near the victim's home, ma'am. That makes you a primary suspect," the officer accompanying him clarified.
"Are you idiots?" Vivianne snapped, her eyebrows shooting up in outrage. "I can testify—she wasn't anywhere near that woman's house."
"Ma'am, please. We're only doing our job. Mrs. Francisco, you have every right to defend yourself," the officer said, then stepped forward and cuffed Sharlene.
Sharlene didn't resist. "Don't worry, Vivianne. I'll be back soon. My conscience is clear," she said calmly. "Please take care of Ashley for me."
She walked away with the officers, her head held high.
Vivianne was left in disbelief. Deep down, she knew Sharlene was incapable of doing such a thing, no matter how much Sheila provoked her.
She turned to Ashley, still asleep in the hospital bed.
I have to do something, she thought.
Suddenly, an eerie memory flashed in her mind—a woman holding a broken mirror, her face hidden, laughing menacingly.
Then, in a shocking twist, Sheila's face merged with that of the ghostly figure. Vivianne gasped, her temples throbbing with pain.
No… this wasn't Sharlene. It was Leah. Or someone tied to Leah.
Before she could process it fully, Vivianne found herself transported to a strange place. She stood in a cemetery, unfamiliar and quiet. In front of her, a woman knelt at an unmarked grave, her back turned.
"My child…" the woman sobbed. "Why did you leave, Mommy? I was just about to see you again."
Tears fell on the grave, which was marked only by a wooden cross and fresh dirt.
Then, the vision shifted.
Now, Vivianne stood inside a grand but unfamiliar mansion. Two people were arguing. She watched in horror as a man slapped a woman—Leah—across the face so hard she staggered.
"We're done, Leah! I don't love you!" the man yelled.
"I can still forgive you—for everything, even Angely. You made me take an abortion pill, Manuel! You involved our innocent child!" Leah screamed, her voice trembling with heartbreak. "What did I do wrong? What was I lacking?"
Manuel didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed her by the hair and punched her, knocking her unconscious.
Vivianne watched as Leah's limp body was carried away. They placed her in a coffin beside Angely, who stood emotionless.
"Let's talk to Leah first," Manuel whispered, clearly torn.
Angely rolled her eyes. "We've come this far, Manuel. Her wealth is within reach. If we back out now, we're the ones who'll be buried next."
Angely turned to the gravediggers. "Is that hole deep enough?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Then drop the coffin. Make sure she never crawls back out."
Leah's coffin was lowered into the grave. Vivianne heard Leah's muffled sobs, her screams begging for mercy. Her soul raged in silence, clawing at the coffin's wooden walls, digging for freedom.
You'll pay. All of you. You'll pay. Leah's tortured voice echoed through Vivianne's mind.
The vision faded.
Vivianne opened her eyes, drenched in sweat.
"—Sis? Sis, Vivianne!" Tashia's voice called, shaking her out of the trance.
Vivianne blinked rapidly, confused and overwhelmed.
She didn't speak. What she had just seen left her shaken—because now, she knew the truth.