Page 123 of Say You're Mine

Elaine takes advantage of my distraction, landing a hard punch to my side. I grunt in pain but don't let go. I can't let go.

"You're done," I spit, tightening my grip on her throat. "This ends now."

Elaine's laughter bubbles up from deep within her, a sound that sends chills down my spine. "You can't stop me!" she taunts, her voice dripping with malice.

Before I can react, she drives her knee into my stomach with brutal force. Pain explodes through me, stealing my breath. I collapse to the floor, gasping for air.

Elaine kicks me again, her foot connecting with my ribs. I roll over, clutching my side as she stands over me, a triumphant sneer on her face.

"You really thought you could beat me?" she spits, her voice filled with contempt. "Pathetic."

I struggle to my knees, my vision blurring with tears of pain and frustration. Cara's frantic cries fill the air, but I can't focus on her. I have to stop Elaine. I have to protect my family.

Elaine turns her back on me, moving toward the living room. Toward Cara and Onyx. Panic surges through me, giving me the strength to rise to my feet.

"Elaine!" I shout, my voice raw and desperate.

She pauses, glancing back at me with a smirk. "What, Juniper? Got something else to say before I finish what I started?"

I grit my teeth, forcing myself to stand tall despite the pain. "You'll never win. I'll make sure of it."

Elaine laughs, a cold, hollow sound. "We'll see about that."

She lunges toward Cara, but before she can reach them, the front door bursts open, and a figure steps inside.

"Judith!" I gasp, relief and confusion warring within me. My sister stands there, breathless, her eyes wide with terror.

"June, get away from her!" Judith shouts, her voice trembling. "Mom escaped. She’s here to kill us all."

Elaine’s face twists into a cruel grin. "Ah, the prodigal daughter returns. Too late, as always."

Judith's gaze locks onto Elaine, her fear transforming into a steely resolve. "Not this time."

Cara, holding a wailing Onyx, backs away slowly, trying to shield our daughter from the unfolding chaos. My heart pounds as I see the terror etched on her face.

Elaine's hand moves to her waistband, and my blood runs cold. "Judith, she's got a—"

Before I can finish, Elaine pulls out a gun, aiming it directly at Cara’s head. My world narrows to that one dreadful moment.

"One move, and I blow her brains out," Elaine hisses, her finger curling around the trigger.

Time freezes. The air is thick with dread. My breath catches in my throat, my heart a wild drumbeat of terror.

"Mom, don't do this," Judith pleads, her voice breaking. "You don’t have to hurt them."

Elaine’s laughter is a twisted mockery of motherly love. "Oh, Judith, you always were the naïve one."

Judith doesn't hesitate. She steps forward, drawing a pistol from her coat. "Drop it, Mom."

Elaine's eyes widen, but before she can react, Judith pulls the trigger. The shot echoes through the house, a deafening roar of finality.

Elaine stumbles, her gun clattering to the floor. She clutches her chest, eyes wide with shock and rage. Blood seeps through her fingers, staining her clothes.

"Judith," she gasps, her voice a choked whisper. "You... shot me."

But it's not Judith's bullet that delivers the final blow. Dante, who had followed Judith into the room, steps forward, his own gun smoking. "No, that was me," he says coldly.

Elaine's eyes flicker with the realization that her end has come. In her final moment of defiance, she reaches for the fallen knife. But I'm faster.

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