To admit that some people literally have no conscience is not technically the same as saying that some human beings are evil, but it is disturbingly close. — Martha Stout

The color drained from Amara's face.
Her eyes widened and she proceeded to shut the door. However, Kemi was faster and forced the door open with her body.

Amara stumbled back as the trio barged in.

"How dare you?" Her face morphed into an ugly scowl. "I will sue you for invading my privacy." She waved a finger at them.

"Oh, you wouldn't!" Kemi retorted with narrowed eyes. "Your crimes are enough to put you behind bars."

Dora watched as fear flickered in Amara's eyes.

"T-that's a-a lie!" Amara stuttered. "I am innocent."

Yeah, right? That's another lie! Dora inwardly snickered.

She stepped forward and matched Kemi's stiff stance. "It's good to see you again, Amara. I see you are still in the lying game." She smirked.

Amara's eyes narrowed. "And I see you are still playing the innocent game."

"That's because she is truly innocent," Kemi said from beside her.

"Oh please, that's what she wants everyone to believe." Amara rolled her eyes.

Dora gaped at her in shock.

"What do you mean?" Dora felt Gerald's presence as he came to stand beside her.

"Oh, you are back!" She sneered and turned to face Dora. "You know how to keep the fish in the net, don't you?" She shot daggers at Dora.

Dora stiffened further and glared at her.

"Oh, come off it!" Kemi exclaimed. "What are so peeved at? Is it her success or what?"

An indecipherable look crossed Amara's face.

"Oh please." She folded her arms and turned away.

A sick feeling welled in Dora's chest as she stared at Amara.

Nausea rose in her throat as a realization dawned on her.

"Are you envious of me, Amara?" Her eyes bulged open and her heartbeat sped up.

Kemi inhaled sharply and Gerald muttered something under his breath.

Dora watched as Amara's face morphed into a look of rage as she balled her fists and turned to face her.

Dora stepped back in shock at the hate shimmering in her eyes.

"Oh, you finally figured it out!" A slow sadistic smile spread on her face.

Dora gawked at her. Dizziness washed over her and she swayed. However, an arm went around her to steady her.

"Why do you envy me?" Her voice was barely above a whisper. A shiver ran through her and her stomach squeezed. "What did I do?"

Amara rolled her eyes. "Are you going to play dumb too?" Her jaw hardened. "Do you not really know what you did?" Mock surprise gleamed in her eyes.

Dora fell weaker every minute; the arm around her was what kept her standing.

"No, I don't!" Her voice came out low. "Tell me."

"Well, for one,  you have always had everything easy," she spat out.
"Whereas people like me have to toil to get anything." Her lips formed into a sneer and her face morphed into a scowl. 

"What are you talking about?" Dora's brows furrowed. Dora's strength came back to her; she rose to her full height and pinned Amara with a hard stare.

Amara produced a shrill cackle. "Do you remember the place where we met?"

Dora swallowed a lump and nodded.

I can never forget. It was the place I met you, the she-devil.

Dora clenched her right fist to hold back her words and thoughts. "Tell me,  what about it?"

"Well, after our IT, they retained you and dismissed me!" Her eyes blazed with anger. "And It was my dream job!" Her voice rose with each word.

Dora gasped sharply. "What does that have to do with anything? We had different positions; and besides, I didn't want the job." Dora's tone matched hers.

"Exactly!" Amara yelled. "You didn't want the job but they begged you to stay.  However, I wanted the job and I begged them but they didn't listen." She shook her head. "It is all your fault!" She gritted out and waved a finger at Dora.

"How is it her fault?" Kemi asked in a raised voice. "It was the choice of the company to let you go."

Amara glared at Kemi. "I knew you will be on her side. She always finds a way to make everyone support her." She threw Dora a dirty look.

Dora rolled her eyes and shook her head.

Lord, this is crazy!

She turned back to Amara with hard eyes. "So tell me, what other crimes did I commit?"

"There are many." Amara produced a saccharine smile. "But what stings is that you were blessed with a perfect daughter."

Dora felt a rock smash at the pit of her stomach. Her blood chilled and bile rose in her throat

Oh Lord, please don't let it be what I am thinking.

She felt Kemi and Gerald stiffen beside her.

"Did you use Thelma against Tara just to spite me?" Dora forced out with clenched fists. Her face morphed into a look of rage. Her fingers dug into her palm as she made a fist.

"Ah, I wish I did." Amara's lips lifted into an evil smile. "Thelma just turned out to be truly my daughter." Her eyes turned dark. "You came to know what it feels like to be in pain because of  something you cherish."

Dora turned cold and her jaw hardened. "You are sick." She emphasized each word.

Amara's lips curled into a sly smirk. "Yes I am, but  I have no regrets."

Dora's eyes grew dark as her anger swelled. She stormed over and gripped Amara by the arm. She didn't lose her hold even when Amara produced a grimace.

Her chin jutted out and her eyes burned with anger. "You will regret all the atrocities you committed against me and my daughter."

Amara staggered back as Dora released her hold. 

Without waiting for any response, she swung the door, rushed past her friends, and raced out.  The breeze slapped her face as she fled down the hill.

Many times, she almost lost her footing. However, her determination to get away spurred her on.

She skidded to a stop and hunched over as a throb pierced her abdomen.

"Adaora! Are you okay?" An arm wrapped around her shoulder. "Let's go to the car."

Dora trudged forward. Weakness seared through her body. Her body slacked and all her weight fell on Kemi who held her.

Hot tears burned her eyes as Amara's words consumed her mind.

I was such a fool for trusting her.

My daughter suffered for my indiscretion.

It's all my fault.

Those were the deafening thoughts that followed Dora to the car.

Through blurry eyes, she watched Gerald open the back door and she crept inside.

Her tear glands broke free and she dug her face into her palms. Her shoulders shook as her tears poured out.

A presence fell over her and she was pulled into comforting arms. Kemi's signature vanilla fragrance welcomed her. 

"It's all my fault!" Dora said through tears. "I was such a fool!"

"No! It's not your fault," Kemi said fiercely. "Amara and her madness are solely to be blamed for everything."

Dora wailed harder while Kemi repeatedly ran a comforting hand down her back.

"She needs to be punished for her deeds!" Gerald's angry voice filled her ears. 

Dora closed her eyes and let her tears flow without restriction. Finally, after what felt like days, Dora's sobs turned into light sniffles and whimpers.

Slowly, she redrew herself from Kemi's grasp and sat up straight. Her eyes scanned the car and stalled on Gerald's face. His eyes shimmered with pain and empathy.

Dora became self-conscious. Her eyes darted down.

I must look terrible to him with bloodshot eyes and a running nose. 

Her eyes remained down and she toyed with her fingers.

"Are you okay, D?" Kemi asked softly.

Dora turned to face her. She spared her a strained smile and a nod.

As she recounted the events of the last few hours, panic welled within her. 

"Our case has become weak!" She turned to Kemi with terror-ridden eyes. "She won't testify." Another bout of tears rushed forward but she blinked them away.

Dora felt her heart palpitate as she thoughts of things that could go wrong.

She looked down as Kemi touched her hand. Her eyes turned to Kemi's face.

"Don't worry, she will testify in our favor!" Kemi's eyes gleamed with confidence.

Dora gaped at her.  "Are you serious? Didn't you see her attitude? She enjoys seeing me in pain." The thought stung her all over again but she dismissed the thought.

Kemi produced another smile. "Don't worry, I know just the way to make her talk." Her smile broadened and a new glint shone in her eyes.

                            ★★★★★

Oh my word, that was a distressing chapter to write😢
Poor Dora😭

Anyway, who is curious to know what Kemi has in mind? What do you think her plan is?  Kindly drop your thoughts in the comments section.

And a happy good Friday to all of us who celebrate! ❤❤
It's not a day to be sorrowful but a day to be happy and celebrate 😁

Anyway, without further ado, Our Question of the chapter is: What are your feelings on Amara's confessions? Are you shocked, surprised, or did you kind of expect it?

Don't leave the chapter without dropping a comment and pressing the little ⭐ in the corner.

Until next time, enjoy the season of celebration 😁