Cedric went to shower.
Sitting in the wooden chair in his study, I stared at the "GM" folder on the desktop, my palms damp with sweat.
The files were encrypted. Cedric wasn't afraid I'd see them.
But he didn't know that after all these years, Daphne had figured out his password habits.
First, the alphabetical sequence in normal order, then reversed.
Carefully, I typed it in—
The folder opened.
My heart raced as I meticulously sifted through the documents, using my phone to photograph each one for James.
Running out of time, I switched to recording video.
My heart pounded like a drum, my fingers trembling so much I could barely control the mouse.
The sound of water stopped in the bathroom. I quickly closed the folder, deleted my chat history with James, and clutched my chest, gasping for air in shallow breaths.
I stumbled and ran downstairs.
There, Daphne was holding a glass of milk, frowning at me.
"Your face is as pale as a ghost. Wandering around at night scaring people?"
I pointed to my phone, nodding slightly.
Daphne's eyes lit up instantly.
---
With this evidence, James could report everything to the police.
I could almost hear the wailing of sirens in the distance.
It was then that a chilling thought crossed my mind:
Did Cedric have a weapon?
I felt the cold press of something against my waist—
A gun!
Charged with intentional harm and human trafficking,"Cedric, do you have a death wish?"
He smelled faintly of body wash, his hair still damp, steam rising off his skin.
"I just checked the file access records," he said coldly. "Rosemary, you never intended to leave me a way out, did you?"
Cedric's face darkened as he raised a hand and slapped me hard. The wet soles of his slippers pressed against my stomach as he roared, his expression twisted:
"You really are an ungrateful brat! I treated you so well, even offered you half of my shares, and this is how you repay me? You're nothing but a traitor!"
He grabbed a nearby vase and smashed it over my head.
Shards flew everywhere.
My face, my eyes, my nose, my neck... all seemed to be drenched in blood.
My consciousness began to fade.
I could still feel the pain of his kicks and the sight of him grinning maniacally as he pointed the gun at me.
Bang—
I lost consciousness.
---
I didn't die.
Daphne had thrown herself over me, taking the bullet.
When James burst in with the police, he found me covered in blood, with Daphne lying weakly on top of me.
"I have no education, no degree," Daphne murmured faintly. "If Cedric dies, I'll have nothing. My future is already gone.
"But Rosemary, you're different. You have the future, people who love you, friends who care about you.
"Rosemary, you must... you must live well for both Laura and me."
James recounted her words without trying to imitate her tone.
Yet I could vividly imagine her sorrow.
In the orphanage, Daphne had been the eldest girl.
I was abandoned by my parents, left to wander in the freezing snow, my face purple with cold. Daphne had brought me to the orphanage.
She let the director scrutinize me like livestock before he finally muttered:
"She seems to come from a decent family. They might come back for her. Keep her for now."
Daphne had sighed in relief.
She handed me a piece of bread and asked, "What's your name?"
I shook my head, whispering timidly, "My parents called me worthless."
Daphne's smile froze.
After a moment, she sighed, touching my face gently.
"Then may I give you a name? You can be Rosemary. How about that?"
Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face, like a dam bursting, soaking my cheeks.
James hesitated before offering me his shoulder awkwardly, trying to console me.
"You're hurt too. Don't cry too much," he said.
I didn't know how long I cried that day. When I looked up, the sky was dark, devoid of any light.
James spoke softly: "My brother plans to hold Laura and Daphne's funerals together. Do you want to attend?"
Without hesitation, I nodded.
