Annie''s words hit Monica like a ton of bricks.


    It had been forever since Monica had seen Annie''s fiery side, and over a crush on Herman? It just didn''t seem worth the drama. At worst, they could just cut ties and move on with their lives. There had to be more to this.


    Gigi was equally shaken. In Annie''s eyes, she saw pure hatred, not just anger.


    A wave of guilt washed over Gigi. Did Annie know her secret?


    After what felt like an eternity, Gigi finally spoke, "Annie, I... falling for him wasn''t something I could control. I tried to fight it, but the more I resisted, the crazier the thoughts got..." Annie cut her off sharply, "So, you thought about taking my ce? If I were out of the picture, you''d get your wish, right?"


    Gigi was stunned, speechless, when out of nowhere, Annie''s hand flew,nding a p that echoed through the room. Annie had poured all her rage and hate into that single p. A red imprint blossomed on Gigi''s cheek, swelling instantly, with a hint of blood at the corner of her mouth.


    Monica was gobsmacked. This was intense.


    Gigi stood still, as onlookers started to gather.


    Annie red at Gigi and said coldly, "You should know exactly why I hit you. That p was for myself. I treated you like a sister, but you were nothing but a snake."


    Without missing a beat, Annie''s hand swung again, striking Gigi''s other cheek, bncing the swelling.


    "Annie..." Monica was stunned, tugging at Annie''s arm. This was getting out of hand.


    Annie fixed her gaze on Gigi and added, "This one''s for my baby. At the crossroads of Peace Avenue, you made a choice. You know what you did."


    Gigi felt a sinking feeling, panic shing in her eyes. Her vile acts, now stripped of their disguise,id bare for all to see.


    She feared Annie knowing the truth, and even more so, Herman finding out.


    "Annie, please listen. I... I just panicked that day. I thought taking that route would get you to the hospital faster. You''ve got it all wrong..." Gigi couldn''t quite face her own maliciousness.


    "You turned right from the straightne, risking a penalty, into the scene of an ident. Should I thank you for that? For dying us, making my baby miss the golden hour for rescue?"


    Annie scoffed, "Gigi, we both know what you were thinking. I''ve seen the surveince footage. Don''t y the saint in front of me. You came here today because you''re scared, because you feel guilty. You robbed my child of theirst chance at life."


    Gigi was at a loss for words. Monica, burning with rage, blurted out, "Annie, you mean Gigi deliberately dyed you? Gigi, you''re heartless! You realize this is tantamount to murder?"


    Monica was ready to throw down herself.


    Annie held Monica back and told the ashen-faced Gigi, "What goes aroundes around. You reap what you sow. It''s not that you won''t get your due; it''s just not time yet. When I got the surveince tape, I thought about going to the police. But I decided against it. My baby''s gone, but you, Gigi, will never find happiness. I curse you to encounter nothing but scoundrels, to never gain anyone''s true affection. May you end up alone, with no kin to apany you."


    Knowing Annie wouldn''t go to the police eased Gigi''s mind.


    As long as she didn''t confess, in these civil disputes, the longer the case drags, the more it hurts the aggrieved party.


    Gigi wiped the blood from her lip and said, "Two ps, and we''re even."


    As for the curse, Gigi wasn''t afraid. She didn''t believe in such things.


    After Gigi left, Monica was still fuming, unable toprehend, "Annie, why did you let her off the hook?"


    "What should I do? Sue her?" Annie asked rhetorically. "I consulted awyer. In these civil cases, it''s hard to prove fault. Forget Gigi confessing; plus, I took abortion pills, which alreadypromised my situation. The doctors couldn''t guarantee a timely rescue would''ve saved the baby. I''m okay now, and Gigi will only face gossip and moral condemnation, not legal punishment."


    "That''s letting her off too easy," Monica seethed. "She deserves to get conned in her eight-year marriage, like she''s suddenly got eyes for Joey. A woman like that doesn''t deserve a happy ending. I hope she gets scammed out of her wealth and beauty, catches a disease, and then..."


    "Enough," Annie interjected. "People like her will get their due. Don''t waste your good fortune on cursing her."


    "I just can''t stand it. It makes my blood boil," Monica said, clenching her fists, eager for action.


    Annie began packing up her table of trinkets. "I''m closing up early today."


    "So soon? You got a hot date or something?" Monica teased without much thought.


    Annie smiled mischievously, "Yeah, I''m off to have an affair."