Chapter 4 Death At Midnight

• The luxury yacht floated serenely on the dark ocean, a palace of light amidst the endless night. Waves lapped gently against the hull, their rhythm deceptively calm, masking the storm brewing on the deck.
• Eve stood by the railing, her hands gripping the cold metal as she gazed at the moonlit horizon. The weight of the night was suffocating. Her grandmother’s revelation—leaving her entire empire in Eve’s hands—had cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a joyous celebration.
• From behind, the sharp clatter of heels on the polished deck broke through her thoughts. Eve didn’t need to look to know who it was.
• “Enjoying the view?” Alina’s voice rang out, sickly sweet, her tone dripping with mockery.
• Eve sighed, her grip tightening. “If you’re here to argue about Grandma’s decision, save it. I didn’t ask for this.”
• Alina chuckled, stepping closer. She leaned casually against the railing, her silver dress shimmering under the moonlight. Her beauty was striking, but there was something venomous in her eyes, a predator circling its prey.
• “Didn’t ask for it?” Alina echoed, feigning disbelief. “You didn’t need to ask, Eve. Everything always lands in your lap—my father, the family’s love, and now the inheritance. It’s all been about you.”
• Eve turned to face her, her gaze sharp. “You’re being ridiculous. This isn’t a competition. Grandma’s decision wasn’t mine to make.”
• Alina’s smile twisted, cruel and humorless. “No, it wasn’t. But tonight, I’ll make a decision of my own.”
• A flash of silver caught Eve’s eye, and her stomach dropped. In Alina’s hand was a knife, its blade glinting menacingly in the moonlight.
• “Alina,” Eve said, her voice calm but laced with warning. “Put that down. You’re taking this too far.”
• Alina’s laughter was cold and hollow, a sound that sent shivers down Eve’s spine. “Too far? You think this is too far? Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for this moment?” She took a step closer, the knife steady in her hand. “This isn’t about money, Eve. It’s about justice.”
• “Justice?” Eve hissed, stepping back instinctively. “This is madness. You’re my sister—”
• “Don’t you dare call me your sister!” Alina snapped, her voice rising. “Your mother stole my father, tore apart my family, and now you’ve stolen my future. Do you have any idea what that feels like?”
• Eve’s heart pounded as she tried to reason with her. “I didn’t take anything from you, Alina. Your anger is misplaced.”
• Alina’s lips curled into a sinister smirk. “Oh, sweet sister, you don’t even know the half of it.” She leaned in, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “Your perfect mother didn’t die in an accident. My mother made sure of that.”
• The words hit Eve like a thunderclap, leaving her stunned. “What are you saying?”
• Alina’s smirk widened. “The phone call that pulled her away from your birthday party? That was my mother's plan. The crash? That was no accident. Your precious mom was a problem—and we dealt with her.”
• Eve stumbled back, the weight of Alina’s confession threatening to crush her. Memories she’d buried for years flooded her mind: her mother’s hurried goodbye, the sound of tires screeching, the news of the crash.
• “You’re lying,” Eve whispered, though her voice trembled.
• “Am I?” Alina mocked, tilting her head. “Think about it, Eve. How quickly did we move in after she was gone? How seamlessly did my mother take her place? None of that was coincidence.”
• Eve’s blood boiled as she stared at the woman before her, a viper cloaked in elegance. “You and your mother are monsters.”
• Alina laughed, cold and cruel. “We did what we had to. And tonight, I’ll finish what she started.”
• Before Eve could react, Alina lunged forward. The knife pierced her stomach with brutal precision, driving a gasp of pure agony from her lips. The world around her blurred, the pain consuming her every thought.
• “You…” Eve choked, her trembling hands reaching down to the blade buried in her abdomen. “You stabbed me.”
• Alina sneered, shoving Eve backward with cruel satisfaction. “Of course, I did. You’ve always been so naive, Eve. Did you really think I’d let you walk out of here alive?”
• Eve crumpled against the railing, her legs folding beneath her. Blood oozed between her fingers as she clutched at the wound, her strength fading rapidly. Her gaze darted to Alina, who stood there triumphant, the knife still glinting red in her hand.
• Eve gritted her teeth and, with a shaking hand, gripped the knife’s hilt. Every motion was agony, but with a desperate cry, she yanked it out, the searing pain stealing her breath. She flung the weapon away with what little strength she had left. It clattered across the floor, landing near Alina’s feet.
• Alina’s laughter rang out, cold and hollow. “How dramatic,” she mocked, stepping closer. “But bravery won’t save you now.”
• As Eve struggled to breathe, Alina crouched before her, grabbing a fistful of her dress. She hauled Eve up, forcing her back against the railing. The metal dug into her spine as she winced in pain.
• “Don’t worry,” Alina murmured, her lips brushing close to Eve’s ear. “I’ll cover my tracks just like my mother did. Any final words?”
• Eve’s face was pale, her voice barely a whisper, but her eyes burned with defiance. “I’ll…come back for you…bitch.”
• Alina smirked, unfazed. “Rot in hell, Eve.”
• With one swift motion, Alina shoved her over the edge.
• Eve’s scream was swallowed by the night as she fell. The icy sea rushed up to meet her, its surface cold and unforgiving. She hit the water like a stone, the impact the last of her breath. The dark waves consumed her, pulling her under, until the only sensation was the numbing cold.
• And then, silence.