“Daughter-in-law! Wake up!”
Still nothing.
Her feet throbbed. She refused to climb the stairs again and again. So she grabbed a stick from the kitchen corner and marched upward, anger fueling each step.
“What kind of daughter-in-law sleeps this late?” she muttered. “Newly married and already lazy…”
She pulled back the blanket.
And the world stopped.
The Blood on the Mattress
The white sheets were soaked in dark red.
The stick slipped from her hand.
“My God… what is this?” her voice trembled.
Mia lay unconscious.
Her face was pale. Her lips cracked. Sweat dotted her forehead despite the cold room. Her breathing was shallow—barely there.
“Mia! Wake up!” Mrs. Reyes shook her.
Nothing.
In the corner of the bed lay empty blister packs of medication.
Her heart began pounding violently.
