CHAPTER 4 — “The Truth Behind the Anklets” (FINAL CHAPTER)
The storm arrived without warning.
Rain hit the mansion like it was trying to erase it.
Chloe stood between them.
One anklet on her ankle.
The second in Mr. Hale’s hand.
Victoria finally spoke.
Her voice was quiet.
Almost human.
“I did it to protect them.”
Mr. Hale shook his head.
“You destroyed them.”
Silence.
Then Victoria broke.
Not dramatically.
Not loudly.
Just slowly… like something collapsing from the inside.
“They were never supposed to be found,” she whispered.
“Because one of them was never meant to survive.”
Chloe stepped forward.
“Which one?”
Victoria looked at her.
Long.
Hard.
And then—
She said the words that shattered everything:
“You were never the only Chloe.”
Lightning struck outside.
For a split second, Chloe saw it.
A reflection in the window.
Another girl.
Standing behind her.
Wearing the same silver anklet.
Smiling.
And then—
May you like
the lights went out.
END.
