Regret Came Too Late

Sloan had always been Alice's lapdog, but how could he continue to act that way after everything that had happened tonight? After tonight, he'd finally see everything for what it was.

Selene followed behind Grace as they walked about 300 feet or so. Only then did she ask in her real voice, "Grace, do you have another trick up your sleeve? I'll admit, I underestimated you before. But after seeing how unhinged Sloan was just now, what if Alice can talk him down with just a few words? Will he really stop acting against you?"

Grace removed her hood, her eyes gleaming brighter than the stars in the night sky. "There's no need to worry. I know Alice, and she won't leave herself with any evidence."

"What do you mean?"

Grace smiled. "She wants to maintain the perfect image. But now that Sloan knows her true nature, he can't be allowed to live."

In short, Alice would take matters into her own hands and frame Sloan's death on the kidnappers from tonight. Everything would go down without a hitch, and she could keep up the act of the sweet, innocent girl.

Selene raised an eyebrow, grinning. "You've really thought of everything, huh? So, should we go in and stop her? Should we save Sloan?"

Grace leaned back against the car with a smirk on her face. "I've already notified the Sidler family, and someone will be here soon to rescue him. If we save Sloan, who's so wrapped up in his love for Alice, he'll think it's just a test for their love.

"But if the Sidler family comes to rescue him, that makes things all the different." Selene gave her a thumbs-up. "Wow. Impressive, truly impressive."

Meanwhile, it was just Sloan and Alice left in the shack.

Sloan was still in a daze. Although his perception of Alice had crumbled, deep down, a sliver of hope remained. "Alice, did you really not hesitate at all just now?"

Alice's face remained pale, her back was straight, and her palms were slick with cold sweat. She never expected things to escalate to this point. She had figured Sloan would be a goner after drinking that water, but now, the tables had turned entirely.

A ruthless gleam flashed in her eyes. If Sloan told anyone about what had happened tonight, and with that recording still circulating and being discussed, everyone would know her past image of innocence was nothing but a facade.

five whole years. How could

glanced at the knife that had

hope, but when he saw her grab the knife again, his confusion turned to sheer panic.

innocence gone. What remained was nothing but cold, ruthless calculation. "Sloan, please don't blame me for this. To everyone else, you were killed by those kidnappers tonight. Don't worry. Once I find

hope shattered into pieces. His face drained of color,

no intention of stretching this out. She wasn't the one to do

second, the knife plunged into

and were filled with hatred as he

huh, Alice? You bitch! You won't get away with

despair. But

up everything for me? I want your life now, so you just have to

killed him like it was only natural for someone to die

sharply. He could feel the knife

ruthless, how incredibly ruthless. How had he never seen her true

had another chance,

open just then. The Sidler family

knife upon hearing the footsteps outside. She

her face was filled with frantic concern

you okay? Someone...

last shred of awareness slipped away when he saw her sudden change in demeanor. In a burst of rage, he coughed up a mouthful