“Ms. Larkin, you really do have a knack for acting,” Fiona said, almost impressed. Pearl had nearly fooled her. But ever since she’d heard Pearl speak, Fiona had felt like something was off—like a puzzle piece was missing.
It all made sense when Tyler showed her a news article from twenty years ago. One glance and Fiona realized something didn’t add up. The States Gazette hadn’t even existed back then—it only started gaining traction thirteen years ago. Pearl was lying, plain and simple.
There was more. When Fiona had her hands around Pearl’s throat, she couldn’t help but notice the faint traces of plastic surgery. The real Pearl was actually Deanna—the timid woman the police officer had just taken away. Deanna had looked nervous from the second she stepped into the room.
After the IV finished, Fiona signaled to Tyler and Nash. “Let’s go,” she said quietly, and together they left the hospital. Before stepping out, Fiona turned and waved goodbye to Pearl, closing that chapter for good.
Fiona had always suspected Ms. Larkin wasn’t really dead. After all, hers was the only body never found in the fire. Now, with the entire Larkin family finally gone, Fiona could finally breathe easy.
That was why, ever since Jasmine’s death, Fiona hadn’t visited her grave. She just… couldn’t. But now, she was finally ready.
The second they left the hospital room, a bunch of doctors rushed in, trying desperately to save “Pearl.” But it was too late.
Standing outside the hospital, Fiona turned to Tyler and Nash. “You guys go on ahead. I need to take care of something.” She waved them off, then flagged down a cab and gave the driver the cemetery address. The moment she slid into the back seat, exhaustion hit her like a wave. She drifted off, sleeping deeper than she had in years.
When she woke up, the car had pulled up to the cemetery gates. Fiona stepped out, carrying a bouquet of jasmine—Jasmine’s favorite flower.
She laid the flowers gently against the headstone, her fingers brushing the cool stone. For the first time in a long while, she smiled.
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