Sheila called Martin, just to ensure he wouldn't visit her today. Justine sat nearby, grinning as her phone rang nonstop.
"Still no answer?" Justine asked, amused.
Sheila shook her head and redialed. After a few seconds, Martin finally picked up. She motioned for Justine to keep quiet.
"Where are you now, hon?" she asked sweetly, her voice sugar-coated.
"Oh, I'm sorry, hon. I've just been swamped with work. I couldn't make it today. I'm really sorry," Martin replied.
"I understand," she said with a hint of sadness. "But I'll be disappointed if you don't visit me soon."
Justine stifled a laugh, trying not to give himself away.
"Get well soon, okay? I'll text you once I'm free," Martin added.
"Okay, hon... can I ask a favor?"
"Of course. Anything you need."
Sheila smiled subtly, glancing at Justine.
"Could you send me some money? I need to settle the hospital bills. I'll return it as soon as I recover."
"I can pay the bill directly, if you prefer," Martin offered.
"Oh no, I'll take care of it myself. The doctor said I just need to rest. I'm worried the woman who hurt me might come back…"
Martin's tone became concerned. "Please be careful. How much do you need?"
Sheila hesitated, playing coy. "Are you sure you still have enough money left?"
Martin chuckled. "Of course. Do you need a million? I can send it right away."
Sheila had to hide her excitement. Stay calm, Sheila, she reminded herself.
"Yes, one million would help a lot. I have a business I'm planning to invest in too."
"You don't have to return it. Just spend it wisely. Check your account after our call."
"Okay... where are you right now?" she asked, testing him.
"I need to sleep. My team needs me early tomorrow. You should get some rest too."
"I will. I love you, hon. See you soon."
"Love you too. Goodnight."
She ended the call and turned to Justine, who was chuckling.
"You're something else," he said.
Sheila quickly opened her banking app—and gasped.
"Gosh..." she whispered, covering her mouth. "I only asked for one million... but look at this."
She showed the screen to Justine.
"Fifty million?" he muttered in disbelief. "The Franciscos are filthy rich."
She flashed him a wicked smile. "Come with me to the villa."
"You can't survive without me, can you?" he teased.
"Of course not." She kissed him slowly. "How should we spend it?"
"That's up to you," Justine replied, returning her kiss. They broke apart only when someone knocked on the door.
A nurse entered to check her wounds. The doctor had ordered that she could be discharged tomorrow. Sheila nodded, barely listening.
She was heading back to her hometown in San Mateo, where she'd once been close friends with Sharlene. Now, she was going back to claim the inheritance her sister left her.
She glanced at her bruises. It was hard to believe she had done that to herself. Her plan had been to frame Sharlene and have her arrested—but Martin had ruined it with his alibi.
What's going on? Is there something between them I don't know about? she wondered.
"Hey," Justine said, pulling her from her thoughts.
She turned to look at him as he gathered his things.
"I have to go. I'll pick you up tomorrow."
"Yeah," she replied quietly. He kissed her goodbye and left.
Now alone in her room, Sheila stood and walked to the bathroom. The mirror reflected her face—pale, bandaged, still healing. She couldn't shake the memory of that woman.
The grin. The broken mirror.
Have I seen her before?
She shook her head and returned to her bed, trying to convince herself it was nothing more than a hallucination. Just as she settled down, the nurse returned to check her vitals and wounds.
As Sheila watched the nurse, her vision shifted—the woman's face slowly morphed into the terrifying figure she remembered: the bloodstained woman with the broken mirror.
The ghost smiled.
"How are you? Let's play again," the whisper slithered into her ear.
Sheila froze, every muscle in her body trembling.
"Ma'am? Ma'am?" the nurse's real voice cut through the fog.
Sheila gasped and blinked hard—the vision was gone. The nurse looked at her with concern.
"Are you alright?"
"I—I'm fine," Sheila lied, nodding quickly. She swallowed and forced a weak smile.
I need to rest. I'm starting to see things again.
The nurse left quietly. Sheila took a deep breath, laid back, and slowly closed her eyes, praying for sleep to bring her peace—even if only for a little while.