Inside the parked car, the two of them sat quietly, watching as mes swallowed the mansion.
Only when the fire had reduced everything to rubble did she finally begin to rx, the tension in her chest slowly easing. She knew she wouldn’t find peace until all traces of the past were gone. For years, she’d wanted Patricia out of the picture, and tonight, she’d finally gotten her wish.
Grandma lingered, her eyes full of sorrow, watching the inferno. Eventually, she turned to the driver and said softly, “Let’s <b>go</b><b>.</b>”
She hadn’t wanted to do this. Patricia used to be a good kid. But somewhere along the way, Patricia had changed–she’d be relentless, pushing the Newton family to the edge. Grandma couldn’t let the family legacy go down like that. Otherwise, how could she ever face herte husband when her own time came?
Back at the Newton estate, Grandma headed straight for the prayer room without a word. She dropped to her knees on the cushion, turning her prayer beads as she chanted, desperate to wash away the guilt.
Incense smoke curled through the small room, filling it with a soft scent.
When Howard and Theo got home, the house felt off–heavy, like everyone was holding their breath. Kelly was humming in the kitchen, making dessert, while Grandma prayed in the next room.
Howard was about to ask what was going on when the phone rang. He answered, listened, and whatever he heard made his face go pale for a moment before he let out a long, <b>tired </b>sigh. He had a good idea who’d set the fire.
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“You’re back?” Kelly came over with a tray, her voice gentle as she slipped her arm through Theo’s. “I made you some grapefruit water. Go take a bath, honey. It’s all over now.”
“All over?” Theo frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Just go freshen up, okay? Wash off the bad luck. We’ll talk soon,” Kelly said, nudging him upstairs.
When Theo left, Howard watched him go, then made his way to the prayer room. Grandma heard himing but didn’t look up.
“You’re back?” she asked, her voice even.
“I made the call about Patricia,” Howard said quietly. “Kelly had nothing to do with it.”
“I’m not ming anyone,” Grandma replied, her voice low. “I just need to know–are we safe? Is it done?”
Patricia was too smart. If she’d caught on, she might’ve set a trap for them instead.
“All the doors were welded shut,” Howard said. “The emergency exits were blocked ahead of time. She couldn’t get out–not with her leg.”
He hesitated. “What about her bodyguards?”
*They were sent away earlier.”
13:31
Howard finally let out a breath, the anxiety melting from his shoulders.
He nodded. “Alright.”
“Come light some incense,” Grandma said. <fnb974> Latest content published on fin?novel</fnb974>
She handed him three sticks. As they stood together before the altar, Grandma whispered, “If anyon has to take the me for tonight, let it be me. Don’t let it fall on my kids or grandkids. I pray
that mercy will understand my pain and helplessness.”
If me was needed, it was Patricia who’d turned her back on the family. Otherwise, how could Grandma have steeled herself to go this far?
“What’s happening? Why are there so many fire trucks outside?” Marian asked from the passenger seat, rolling down her window to get a better look at the chaos ahead.
Jackson’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, but he didn’t answer.
They pulled up to the mansion, only to find it gutted–just a shell now, with thick, choking smoke curling into the sky as firefighters worked to douse thest mes.
Marian froze, then suddenly jumped out of the car. She ran over and grabbed a firefighter’s arm, her voice shaking. “What happened? How did this start?”
“We’re still looking into it,” the firefighter replied. “We need to put the fire out first.”
“Call the police! Jackson, call the police!” Marian was frantic, clinging to Jackson’s arm, her legs barely holding her up. “Please, Jackson, call them!”
“It had to be the Newtons, those bastards,” she cried, her voice cracking. “If anything happens to Miss, how am I supposed to face Grandma? My poor Pattie–her parents were killed, and now <b>she’s </b>ended up like this…” Tears streamed down her face as smoke and sirens filled the night.