Chapter8 Weston Vale looked into Jewel Whitmore's hollow eyes, a flicker of unease softening his features. He opened his mouth, as if to speak, But Ivy Sloane's voice cut in. "In that case... thank you, Jewel." The next second, she sent the cemetery address to Weston and Grayson, shot them a loaded glance, then allowed herself to be wheeled away. Three days later. Jewel stood with all three of them before Ivy's chosen resting place. It was nothing like the gilded mausoleum she would have expected. Instead, a plain coffin dangled precariously from the edge of a cliff, a cliffside hanging coffin, swaying over the drop. Jewel's stomach clenched. Ivy, who had always worshipped luxury, wanting to be buried in a place like this? It made no sense. "Jewel," Ivy whispered, her eyes shimmering with staged tears, "will you lie inside for me? My sisters told me that if someone born the same day and year as me lies in my coffin for three days, then when my time comes, I won't suffer as much." Jewel's pulse spiked. This wasn't about three days in a coffin. She knew Ivy too well, this was a death sentence. She turned the wheelchair, desperate to leave, but guards blocked her path. "Only three days," Weston said, his brows drawn. His voice was gentle, yet carried no room for refusal. "Yes," Grayson added, stepping closer. "Three days, and then Weston and I will come fetch you." He guided her slowly toward the cliff's edge, his hand firm against her back. Jewel's heart sank. She stared at them both, her voice low, hoarse, and hollow. "Grayson. Weston. Must you really do this? What if I never come back out?" For a moment, both men hesitated, glancing at the bottomless void below. Their eyes flickered, something unreadable, almost guilty. Then Ivy broke into sobs. "I know I'll never measure up to Jewel. I wasn't raised by my brother, I'll never be as loved. So let me die alone. That way, I won't be in anyone's way..." She shoved her wheelchair forward recklessly until someone stopped her. "Don't say that!" Grayson sank to Jewel's level, his voice soothing. "Just three days. Nothing will happen. We'll even post guards to watch over you." Weston draped a blanket gently over Jewel's shoulders, his tone warm, almost tender. "This is the last time I'll ask you to give way to her. Endure it, just this once. Afterward, I promise, everything will be about you." Then came the ropes. They bound her hands and feet tightly, neat and secure like wrapping a package. Jewel's eyes were cold as she watched their faces, saw their pleading, pleading that had never once appeared when she had truly needed their love. And still, they bound her. And still, they lowered her into the coffin, inch by inch, until the heavy lid began to close. "Be good, Jewel," Weston murmured, eyes brimming with counterfeit devotion. "When these three days pass, everything will be as it once was." The lid shut. The last thing they saw was the bitter curve of Jewel's mouth, her gaze already emptied of life. Panic flickered in both men's eyes. They almost spoke, But a shout split the air. "Mr. Sloane! Mr. Vale! Miss Ivy has fainted!" In an instant, they turned away, lifting Ivy from her chair, rushing to her aid. They never saw what came next. The boards beneath the coffin groaned. Crack. Crack. Slowly, the supports began to splinter, the coffin swaying violently above the chasm. Inside, Jewel listened to the sharp cracks echo against stone, her body drenched in sweat, ropes biting deeper with every desperate movement. Rage roared in her chest. So this is how Ivy kills me, by shoving me into a coffin and letting the cliff finish the job. She struggled harder, the wood creaking, the coffin rocking wildly. Tears streamed unchecked down her cheeks. Just when she was certain she would plunge into the abyss, the thunder of helicopter blades rolled across the sky. Light slashed into the coffin as the lid was pried open. And before the brightness reached her, a voice, warm, melodic, unmistakably maternal, wrapped around her like a shield. "Sweetheart, don't be afraid. It's Mom. I'm here. I'm sorry I'm late..." At last, Jewel's rigid body went slack. She collapsed into softness, into safety. And when she fainted again, there was no terror. For the first time, she knew. the darkest night of her life was finally behind her. Her rebirth had begun. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!