"Mom," Ashley called softly.
"Yes, Ashley?" Sharlene asked while gently brushing her daughter's hair.
They were currently staying in their rental house in Vivianne, as Sharlene hadn't yet brought her daughter to the mansion.
Ashley looked at her, her eyes full of hope. "When can I start school?"
Sharlene smiled. "Once this is all over, you still won't be allowed to go outside freely."
Ashley's gaze remained fixed on her. "We're going to help Aunt Leah, right?"
Sharlene nodded and pulled her daughter into a tight embrace. Even now, she could barely believe she was finally able to hug her, speak with her, and hold her again.
"I missed you so much, Ashley," she whispered, her voice full of emotion.
Ashley smiled at her mother and looked down at the bracelet on Sharlene's wrist.
Sharlene noticed. She removed the bracelet and handed it to Ashley.
"That's yours now," she said.
"But your mom gave this to you, right?" Ashley asked while studying it.
Sharlene nodded. "Yes, but I want to pass it on to you—just as my mother passed it on to me."
A knock interrupted their moment.
"Sister Sharlene," Tashia called from outside the door.
"Come in, Tashia," she replied.
Tashia entered the room. "Sis, Attorney Madrigal is here."
Sharlene simply nodded and took Ashley with her to meet Justine, who was waiting in the small living room of the apartment.
He looked up when they entered, offering a soft smile when his eyes landed on Ashley.
"I'm glad she's okay," he said.
Sharlene nodded in acknowledgment, sensing there was more to this visit than small talk. A long silence passed between them before Justine finally spoke again.
"You need to know something. Nacario Raymundo Santiago passed away yesterday."
Everyone in the room exchanged stunned glances.
"He passed away?" Sharlene repeated.
Justine nodded. "Yes."
"What does that mean for the court case?" she asked.
"The court has no choice but to dismiss it," he replied flatly.
"If we're lucky, that is," Vivianne muttered.
"What about Sheila?" Sharlene asked, her voice growing firm.
"That's the thing. We're putting everything on hold regarding her for now. She's not in her right mind these days—I don't know what's going on with her."
"What do you mean?" Sharlene pressed.
"She keeps saying someone's going to kill her. She sees a woman… I think it's Leah. She keeps repeating Leah's name."
"Can Martin talk to her properly?" Vivianne asked.
"Martin hasn't visited since their last confrontation," Justine admitted. "Don't look at me like that, Sharlene. I was just following his wishes. Besides, Raymundo's death happened around the same time."
Justine sighed, then added, "The evidence we've gathered is strong. There are still bones in the mansion, including Leah's remains."
Sharlene fell into thought. She had to see Sheila.
"Is she locked up in her mansion?" she asked.
Justine nodded.
"Sis, we need to go see Sheila," Tashia urged.
Sharlene nodded. "Justine, can you take us there?"
He looked puzzled. "Why?"
"I just need to see her," she insisted.
"Okay," he agreed reluctantly. "Let's go."
With no one to watch Ashley, Sharlene brought her along. During the ride, she wondered why Leah hadn't appeared to her lately. Was Leah seeking revenge now that Raymundo was gone?
Ashley looked at her with worry. Sharlene took her hand, silently reassuring her.
Her anxiety deepened the closer they got to Sheila's mansion in San Mateo. Justine drove quickly, and since there was no traffic like in the city, they arrived faster than expected.
As soon as they arrived, a pale, frightened maid greeted them.
"W–What happened?" Sharlene asked.
"Madam Sheila's been shouting to herself again. If an evil spirit's behind it, we can't make sense of what's going on anymore," the maid said shakily.
"Tashia, hold Ashley for me," Sharlene said and rushed inside.
"Where is Sheila's room?" she asked the maid.
The maid pointed the way, clearly concerned. "M–Ma'am, something might happen to you…"
Sharlene just gave a reassuring smile.
"Sharlene," Vivianne called out.
"I'm going with you," she insisted.
"Vivianne…" Sharlene sighed, unsure but touched.
"Just leave it to me, Sis," she said determinedly.
They entered Sheila's room.
Sheila was thrashing violently, tied at the wrists, her hair a wild mess as she screamed and sobbed.
"Why! Why!" she screamed at something invisible, tears streaming down her face.
Sharlene and Vivianne exchanged uneasy glances.
"When did she become like this?" Sharlene asked.
"Before this happened, Leah visited her—with Angely and Raymundo. She showed Sheila everything… made her feel everything she went through," Vivianne explained. "And Sheila couldn't accept that Martin and Justine outplayed her. She thought she had already won the game. That's also why she broke down."
Vivianne looked stricken. "She's also a victim, Sharlene. Just like you said—she was raped when she was fifteen. Back then, you were still friends."
Sharlene noticed blood dripping from Vivianne's nose.
"Vivianne, your nose is bleeding!" she said in alarm.
"I'm okay, Sharlene. We need to calm Leah down. Raymundo's presence might be why she hasn't reached out to us lately."
"Tell me when it's too much. We'll leave right away," Sharlene assured her.
Just then, Sharlene grabbed Vivianne's hand, and the world around them darkened. When they opened their eyes, they found themselves surrounded by an eerie silence.
A soul stood before them—Leah, wearing a white dress. Sharlene remembered that outfit—what she wore when she died. Tears flowed from Leah's eyes.
Sharlene and Vivianne looked at each other.
"Show us where they are now," Vivianne said calmly.
Leah nodded, and they followed.
They arrived at a grim scene.
They heard Leah's delighted laughter—but what they saw was heartbreaking.
"Sharlene! Help!" Grandma Felicia screamed.
Leah fell silent and arched a brow. She looked around.
"Have mercy, Sharlene," a voice begged.
Sharlene's breath caught in her throat.
She was shocked to see Sheila there.