Mother's True Love.

The Final Blow.

Content Warning: This chapter contains themes of domestic abuse, violence, and self-harm. Please proceed with caution.

One Day Before Jules Met Nathan

Alex held the diary, his voice steady but strained as he read aloud, knowing each word cut deeper into Emily's heart. Emily sat beside him, her face pale, unable to read any more herself.

"I don't even know why I'm writing this anymore. Maybe just to remind myself that I existed, that I was here before everything ends. Today, it was worse than ever. Mom hit me harder than she ever has. My mouth is bleeding, my head hurts from where she slammed it into the wall. She kept saying I needed to go to school, but I couldn't. I'm just so tired. I just wanted to rest, but that wasn't an option. It never is."

Emily was trembling beside him, her breathing shallow. Alex stopped for a second, looking at her with concern, but Emily shook her head, urging him to continue. She had to hear it all, no matter how painful.

"I think... I think Mom's going to be the one to kill me. It sounds crazy, right? But she's the hitman. I have this feeling, like deep down I know that's how it's going to end. I heard her, Emily. I heard her say that she hates me. She said I'm the useless one, the one who ruined everything. That things would have been different if you were still here. That she can't stand it anymore. She said... maybe she should be the one to end it. End me."

Alex paused, his hand shaking slightly as he turned the page. Emily covered her mouth with her hand, tears slipping silently down her cheeks. She leaned against Alex, unable to hold herself together.

"She thinks it'll be easier that way, quieter. She said it's better if she does it, not anyone else. Not some stranger, not by accident. It's safer if it's her, right? The one person I'm supposed to trust... but I can't. I don't know what to do. I'm scared, Emily. So scared."

Emily let out a quiet sob, squeezing Alex's arm. He could feel her grief mixing with anger, her guilt multiplying with each word. He steadied his breath and kept reading.

"I just want to see Nathan. I just want him to tell me that it'll be okay, even if it's just a lie. Just for a moment. I need someone to hold me and tell me that all this pain isn't going to last forever. I'm hiding in my wardrobe right now because I can't take the hits anymore. My head is spinning, I feel so dizzy. Maybe this is how it's supposed to end. But... I miss you, Em. I really miss you. I wish you could hear me. I think I get it now, why you left. Maybe you couldn't take her either. Maybe you just needed to get away. I wish I was brave like you. I wish I could've left, too. But I'm not. I'm the coward. The one who stayed. And I guess, maybe, that makes me the loser. Everyone was right about me all along."

Alex's voice grew softer as he read the final lines. He swallowed hard, setting the diary down gently on the table in front of them. He didn't dare look at Emily at first, knowing what he'd see—a completely shattered person.

Emily sat still, staring at the table, her body trembling from the weight of it all. "It was her..." she whispered, the realization dawning on her. "Mom did it... She really did it... She killed Jules."

Alex immediately placed his arm around her, holding her close. "Emily, we don't know for sure. It's still—"

"No! Alex, she said it," Emily sobbed, her voice rising in desperation. "She said it! Jules knew! Why didn't I take her with me? Why did I leave her alone with her?"

Alex rubbed her back, trying to calm her, but she kept spiraling. "You couldn't have known," he said gently. "You were just a kid, Emily. This isn't your fault."

Emily shook her head violently, tears pouring down her face. "It is my fault. I should have been there for her."

Alex's grip tightened. "You need to stay focused. If it was Linda... we can't let her get away with it. We need a plan, Emily. You can't confront her. Not yet. We have to gather everything first. Maybe talk to Bob, get some legal help. Do this the right way."

Emily wiped her face, trying to steady herself, but the pain was overwhelming. Alex's words rang true, but all she could think about was Jules. All she could feel was the crushing guilt that she didn't save her.

Alex pulled her close again, his voice calm and steady. "We'll figure this out, Emily. But we have to be smart. If we want justice for Jules, we have to play this right."

Emily nodded, still lost in her sorrow but knowing Alex was right.