Chapter 6

Morgan

Ruby folded her arms. “Women whose lives were destroyed. Women who have nowhere to go.”

Her fingers brushed the cracked-heart ring. “We found each other.”

She looked between us. “What if…We found women like us?”

Violet leaned back thoughtfully. “You mean… recruit them?”

Ruby nodded. “Not soldiers. Sisters. A place where no woman has to fight alone.”

I looked down at the silver ring on my own hand. “Women with broken hearts…”

A slow smile appeared on Violet's face. She reached into her pocket and placed a matte-black card on the table. At its center was the familiar cracked silver heart.

“…Women who refuse to let the world decide their ending.”

Ruby rested her hand over the card. “A family.”

I placed hers on top. “A promise.”

Violet covered both of our hands.“No woman fights alone.”

—-

“Alright, alright… get your asses up.”

Silence.

I folded my arms. “I mean it.”

Still nothing.

I walked over to Ruby’s bedroom first and knocked twice.

“Ruby.”

A muffled groan answered me. “…Five more minutes.”

“You said that ten minutes ago.”

“I know.”

“Get up.”

Another groan.

I shook my head before heading toward Violet’s room.

I knocked once. “Violet.”

“…I’m awake.”

“You’ve been ‘awake’ for the last fifteen minutes.”

“…That doesn’t mean I’m getting out of bed.”

A smile tugged at my lips despite myself. “I’ll count to three.”

“No!!!”

“One…”

Silence.

“Two…”

“I don’t like where this is going.”

“Three.”

The bedroom door swung open.

Violet stood there with her short black bob sticking out in different directions, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

“…You’re cruel.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

Ruby finally stumbled out of her room a few seconds later, still half asleep. Her long curly black hair was a complete mess.

She yawned dramatically. “I’m filing a complaint.”

“File it after breakfast.”

Ruby narrowed her eyes. “I knew I shouldn’t have let you become the responsible one.”

Violet laughed quietly as she stretched. “I’ve never seen someone look so offended by waking up.”

I couldn’t help smiling. “Bathrooms. Ten minutes.”

Ruby blinked. “Each? Together?”

“Ten minutes.”

She sighed dramatically. “You’re no fun.”

“I wasn’t trying to be.”

The headquarters slowly came alive as everyone prepared for the day.

Unlike every other morning…There were no disguises waiting on the table.

Today wasn’t about a mission. It was about remembrance.

An hour later, we walked out of the headquarters dressed simply.

I slid behind the steering wheel of the black sedan while Ruby occupied the passenger seat, her naturally curly black hair bouncing lightly as she adjusted her seatbelt.

Violet settled into the back seat, her short black bob tucked behind one ear.

My fingers tightened around the steering wheel for just a moment before I started the engine.

I hadn’t returned to my hometown since burying my twin sister. I was finally going back.

The headquarters disappeared behind us as the city slowly awakened.

For a while, none of us spoke.

Soft music drifted through the speakers while I kept my attention on the road.

Nearly an hour later, traffic slowed near a busy intersection.

I eased off the accelerator. “Hm?”

Violet eyes wandered toward the sidewalk.

Several police officers were pasting large posters onto lamp posts and storefront windows while curious pedestrians gathered around.

One word, printed in bold black letters, immediately caught her attention.

WANTED

Ruby followed her gaze. “…Oh-My-Gosh”

I pulled the sedan into a nearby parking space. “What?”

Ruby pointed through the windshield. “There.”

Curious, the three of us climbed out of the car and joined the small crowd.

The moment Violet saw the poster…she burst into laughter.

Staring back at her was a woman with long crimson-red hair, flawless makeup, emerald-green eyes, and an elegant black evening gown.

She looked breathtaking. She also didn’t exist.

I folded my arms, shaking my head with a smile.

Ruby laughed so hard she had to wipe tears from her eyes. “I told you that wig was unforgettable.”

Violet tilted her head, studying the photograph. “I spent three hours becoming her…and now she’s the most wanted woman in the city.”

I chuckled. “If you stood beside that poster right now, no one would believe you’re the same person.”

“I certainly hope not.”

A police officer walked past us, carrying another stack of posters.

Neither of us earned a second glance. After all…the woman on the poster had long crimson hair. Violet had a short black bob. She wore dramatic makeup. Violet wore none. She looked like a mysterious socialite. Violet looked like an ordinary young woman traveling with friends.

The disguise had done exactly what it was meant to do.

Ruby nudged Violet with her elbow “Congratulations.”

“For what?”

“Becoming an international celebrity.”

Violet rolled her eyes. “I should ask them for royalties.”

Laughing quietly, we returned to the car and continued our journey.

Several hours later, we crossed into my hometown.

The atmosphere felt different. Memories lingered in every street.

I booked three rooms at a small hotel near the town center.

After freshening up and changing into comfortable clothes, we gathered to decide when to visit the cemetery.

Before anyone could speak…

The television interrupted its regular programming.

BREAKING NEWS

The three of us looked up.

The screen showed flashing police lights outside the Royal Étoile Nightclub.

The news anchor spoke with a solemn expression.

“Authorities have confirmed that billionaire businessman Riccardo Lefevre was found dead early this morning inside a private suite at the Royal Étoile Nightclub.”

Footage showed paramedics wheeling a covered body toward a waiting ambulance while detectives sealed off the building.

“The discovery was made after Mr. Lefevre’s two business associates regained consciousness and alerted hotel security.”

Images of the nightclub’s VIP lounge appeared.

“According to investigators, both men were found unconscious at the scene and transported to a nearby hospital.”

The report continued.

“Medical examinations confirmed that the two businessmen had been drugged with an unidentified sedative.”

A video clip showed the two men leaving the hospital surrounded by police officers.

“Although both witnesses have now regained consciousness, investigators say neither has been able to provide a useful description of the women they encountered that evening.”

Ruby exchanged a subtle glance with me.

The anchor continued.

“Doctors believe the substance used may have caused temporary memory impairment.”

“Both men remember meeting three women,’ investigators stated, ‘but neither can clearly recall their faces, names, or the events leading up to Mr. Lefevre’s death.”

The screen changed.

A surveillance image filled the television.

There she was again. The woman with crimson hair.

Violet. Or rather…the woman the world believed she was.

“Police were able to recover this image from the nightclub’s surveillance cameras.”

“The unidentified woman was last seen entering a private suite with Mr. Lefevre shortly before his death.”

“Authorities are urging anyone who recognizes the woman pictured to immediately contact the nearest police station.”

Another image appeared.

Forensic investigators surrounded the suite.

“The medical examiner has confirmed that Mr. Lefevre died from a precise puncture wound to the neck caused by a narrow, sharp object.”

“Investigators believe the attack was highly calculated and are treating the case as a premeditated homicide.”

The television fell silent.

Ruby reached for the remote and switched it off. Then quietly set the remote on the table.

Silence settled over the room.

After a long moment, Ruby finally looked at me.

“So… are we staying in town for a few days?”

I shook my head. “No.”

Both she and Violet looked at me.

“We’ll visit my sister tomorrow morning.” My voice was calm, but firm. “After that… we’re leaving.”

“You don’t want to stay?” Violet asked gently.

I glanced toward the window.

“I came here for one reason.” A faint breath escaped me. “Once I see her… there’s nothing left for me in this town.”

Neither of them argued.

The room fell quiet once more.

——-

The following morning…

I woke before my alarm.

For a few moments, I simply lay there, staring at the white ceiling of the hotel room.

Today. My chest tightened. Today I was finally going to see my sister again.

Not her…just the place where she slept.

A soft knock echoed from the other side of my door. “Morgan?”

“I’m awake.”

“You sure?”

“Unfortunately.”

A quiet laugh came from the hallway. “Meet us downstairs in twenty.”

“I’ll be there.”

After showering and changing into a simple black blouse, dark jeans, and a long charcoal coat, I tucked a small bouquet of fresh white lilies beneath my arm before leaving the room.

Ruby and Violet were already waiting in the hotel lobby.

Neither of them wore makeup beyond the bare minimum.

Neither of them tried to make conversation. They knew today wasn’t a day for jokes.

Ruby noticed the flowers first. “White lilies.”

I nodded. “They were her favorite.”

They didn’t ask anything else.

The drive to the cemetery was quiet.

When the cemetery gates finally came into view, my hands tightened around the bouquet.

I hadn’t been here in years. Yet somehow…everything looked exactly the same.

The towering oak tree near the entrance. The narrow stone pathway. The rows of weathered headstones stretching endlessly into the distance.

Step after step…memory guided me. Until…I stopped.

There it was. A simple gray headstone.

Fresh rainwater glistened across the engraved letters.

Megan Bennett

Beloved Daughter. Beloved Sister.

I slowly knelt before the grave. For a long time… I couldn’t speak.

My fingers brushed away a few fallen leaves before I gently placed the white lilies against the headstone.

“…Hi.” My voice barely existed. “I know.”

A shaky laugh escaped me. “I’ve been gone a long time.”

Silence answered. “I’m sorry.”

My throat tightened. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.”

Another tear rolled down my cheek. “I still haven’t found him. I wish I could tell you I have. I wish I could tell you he’s already paying for what he did.”

A pause “I can’t.” I lowered my head. “But I will. I promise. I don’t care how many years it takes. I’ll find him.” My eyes glistened with tears “And when I do…I’ll make sure you finally get the justice you deserved.”

Behind me…I heard quiet footsteps.

Ruby gently laid a bouquet beside mine.

“You never met me,” she whispered softly. “But she talks about you every day. You must’ve been an incredible sister.”

Violet stepped forward next. She placed another bouquet on the grave.

“You have my word.” She looked at the headstone. “As long as we’re breathing…Morgan won’t carry this alone.”

…..

An hour later…We left the cemetery.

None of us spoke until we reached the town square.

Ruby finally exhaled. “…Coffee?”

I looked at her.

She gave me a small smile. “I think your sister would’ve wanted you to eat today.”

A faint smile touched my lips. “Probably.”

We crossed the street together.

The town was already busy. People hurried past carrying shopping bags. Children laughed somewhere nearby. Street vendors called out to passing customers.

Life…had moved on.

As we passed a bakery…

A loud shout shattered the morning. “Stop!” “Thief!”