Chapter

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Before Evelyn could answer Derek's question and share her idea with them, Claire stood up, her expression somber. " think I should excuse myself," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to know the details or be part of the planning. I just... I can't. If you'll excuse me, I'll go spend some time with Samantha upstairs." She swallowed, a sad smile crossing her face.

Eric sighed, knowing the whole thing was probably too much for Claire to bear. He reached out and patted her hand gently. "Of course," he murmured, understanding the burden she was carrying. They all nodded and watched as Claire quietly exited the room. "Please give me a minute," Evelyn said as she hurried after her mother.

"Mom""" Evelyn called as she caught up with her at the foot of the stairs.

Claire turned, forcing a smile as she fought to hold back her tears.

"Mom, I understand how you feel, but you know I have to do this" she said apologetically, and Claire nodded.

"Of course, I understand. I'm totally with you on whatever you choose to do. Sandra deserves it, especially after everything she's done. But I just don't want to be there when you make the plans"" Claire said, and Evelyn nodded. "Thank you for understanding, Mom," Evelyn said, and Claire nodded before taking the stairs.

As Evelyn joined them again, Rebecca let out a soft sigh. "Poor woman. I can't imagine what she must be going through." She looked around at the others, her expression filled with sympathy.

"As a mother, it's hard to come to terms with something like this.

Knowing your own child is... capable of such things."

The room fell into silence, and after a moment, Derek turned to Evelyn, his gaze filled with determination. "Go on, babe. Tell us what you're thinking."

Evelyn took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. "As I said earlier, I want to be kidnapped and killed just as Sandra wants..."

"But you don't mean killed literally, right? So, how do you mean it?"

Derek asked since that was what he wanted to hear.

"I think we should arrange a meeting with the hitman Sandra hired.

intentions, we can involve the

have the connections- we can pull some strings and make sure they re ready to arrest him on the spot. This way, we have solid proof against him. And then we can ask

he is loyal to her?"

just a hitman. Besides, he will know the police are involved, so he won't

best way they could get rid of Sandra for good, he couldn't help being worried. One

I can do about it. If possible, we can have the hitman arrested, and a police officer can pretend to be him and tan with Sandra. We have to move fast since tomorrow is the reunion.

do we do about him?" Rebecca said, since even though she would want Michael punished, she couldn't watch her nephew die at the hands of a cunning person like

up to you," Evelyn

should invite him over tomorrow and tell

be sure he won't decide to go after Sandra himself for some petty revenge," Derek's

plan is risky enough, and the last thing we want is to involve him and have him

take every precaution to make sure he won't interfere with our plans. Besides, I don't think we have anything to worry about. We let him know that we are aware of his intentions and actions thus far. We'll make it clear that we're one step ahead and that he can either

for the birthday are off?"

right we make it worth the effort," Derek said, and Evelyn's lips twitched

And then the police can take her," Evelyn said, and everyone

at his watch when the doorbell rang. "Dinner is here; he announced as he rose to answer the door, knowing it was dinner being delivered. When Evelyn noticed the worried frown on her father's face and how he kept glancing in the direction Claire

earlier seeming to melt away as she watched her granddaughter's innocent joy. Despite that, Evelyn could still see the sadness in her eyes and how

plans or having Sandra arrested, she knew Claire was definitely having a hard time accepting the truth about the sort of monster her daughter was. If she were in Claire's shoes, she would

when Claire noticed her presence and met her gaze. "I'll take

and gave her a nod. "Go on, sweetheart. I'll be

her need for a moment alone, and then guided Samantha out

way downstairs, Samantha skipped alongside her, clutching her picture

welcomed Samantha warmly. She slid into her chair, chattering happily as her grandparents doted on

there, Samantha?" Derek's mother asked, her eyes sparkling

to show her grandmother a picture of a fairy princess. "Look,

chuckled, reaching out to gently touch Samantha's cheek. "Just like

the book with

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