The hallways echoed with Vivian's frantic footsteps as she darted through the corridors of her company. It had been days since she'd last stepped foot in here. Her disheveled appearance and manic urgency drew the attention of everyone around her. Employees whispered among themselves, their gazes filled with confusion and fear, as she burst into rooms, her wild eyes searching for someone.
Finally, she reached the elevator. She stabbed the button repeatedly, as if her desperation could make it arrive faster. The metallic hum of the machinery was maddeningly slow. Each second felt like an eternity, her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
When the elevator didn't come, Vivian let out a guttural cry and turned to the staircase. Her breath became ragged, each intake like shards of glass in her lungs. Her chest heaved, sweat dripping down her temple, mixing with the tears she didn't realize had begun to fall. She tripped once, her knee cracking painfully against the concrete, but she pushed on, clawing her way to the top floor. The weight of her fears, the urgency of her desperation, and the uncertainty of what awaited her pushed her forward.
Finally, she reached the top. She slammed open the door to the rooftop, that was already unlocked its screeching sound echoing like a shattering glass.
There she was.
Laura stood at the very edge of the rooftop, the city skyline framing her slender figure. The wind tugged at her golden hair, making her seem ethereal—like a ghost haunting the edge of existence.
"Laura!" Vivian gasped, her voice trembling with a mixture of relief and dread.
Laura turned slowly, her face devoid of expression except for a faint, almost eerie smile. "You came…" she said, her voice soft yet tinged with mockery.
Vivian took a hesitant step forward. "Laura, please… come down. We can talk."
Laura laughed, a sound that sent chills down Vivian's spine. "Talk? You're telling me to come down and talk? You?" She pointed a shaking finger at Vivian, her smile twisting into something bitter and ugly.
"I believe you!" Vivian cried, falling to her knees, her voice breaking. "I know you didn't do it. I believe you, Laura!"
Laura's laughter stopped abruptly. Her head tilted, her wide, tear-filled eyes locking onto Vivian's. "You… believe me?" she asked, her voice eerily calm.
"Yes!" Vivian clutched her chest as if trying to hold herself together.
Laura started laughing hysterically, her eyes getting teary and too wide enough pop out of their sockets... "Please, Laura. Just come down. Let's figure this out together."
"What figure out Vivian Donovan? What I have done Ms Vivian?"
For a moment, it seemed as if Laura might step away from the edge. But then she laughed again, hysterically, her hands clutching her head as though trying to keep it from exploding.
"You believe me !!! You are here right now because of that detective, aren't you? Didn't you call me to get it clear with me? Because she's breathing down your neck!" Laura screamed, her voice filled with venom.
Vivian's shoulders sagged, her strength faltering. She couldn't respond, couldn't convince Laura. Her lips moved, but no words came out, her knees fell weak and she dropped on her knees.
"no Laura listen to me ... please listen to me ... come down first" ...
Laura got serious her smile vanished.
From behind, Max's footsteps echoed as he climbed onto the rooftop. He froze for a moment, taking in the scene—the broken Vivian on the ground and Laura teetering on the edge.
"Ms. Laura Smith," he said carefully, his voice steady but gentle. "Step down. Let's talk this through. No one here wants you hurt."
Laura's head snapped toward him, her eyes narrowing. "Oh, you, a new addition to the story!" she sneered. "You're her lapdog, aren't you? following her around these days? Do you love her?"
Max hesitated, his jaw tightening. He glanced at Vivian, who was now rocking slightly, her face buried in her hands.
"Come down, Ms. Laura. This isn't the way," Max said, ignoring her question.
Laura squatted, at levels with Max as she teetered precariously on the edge. Her smile returned, sinister and knowing. "You think she's innocent? That she doesn't have blood on her hands?"
Max froze, the accusation hanging heavily in the air.
"You love her, but you don't know her," Laura whispered, her voice a dark melody. "Ask her. Ask her about my brother. She is here for her brother the one in whose direction she never even wanted to spit and now that he is dead she is pouring crocodile tears wailing with rattles of my brother my brother! That BITCH! Ask her about what she did."
Max's hands clenched into fists. "Laura, I don't care about your games. Step down. Now."
"GAMES?!!!"Laura laughed …
"Games?!
Me?!
Huh?
I am playing games? when she killed me brother didn't she think of the consequences of her actions?!
Well no worries she knows now! "
The door to the rooftop slammed open again, and Detective Sarah Blake stormed in, her gun drawn.
"Laura Smith! Don't you dare move another inch!" Sarah commanded.
Laura's face contorted into a mask of rage and mockery. "Ah, the great detective herself," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"yes detective how can I help you, your command is my duty"
she bowed knightly and then again let out a laugh "and then looked at max and Vivian with disgust as if to mock them about their sincerity...
"detective ... no no no I should call you Mrs. Blake beloved wife of Mr. John Blake ...
How's that broken marriage of yours, Mrs. Blake?"