Autumn dropped to her knees abruptly, clutching her stomach with one hand. A guttural moan escaped her lips, loud and raw, mimicking the sound of someone in unbearable pain. Iris froze, her legs trembling as the scene unraveled before her eyes.

The door to the apartment complex swung open, and Derek stepped out, wearing only a crumpled dress shirt that looked like it had been hastily thrown on.

Iris's gaze darted between Derek and Autumn, her wide eyes betraying the shock and disbelief coursing through her.

“Derek, she's lying! I don’t have a knife!” Iris hissed, her voice sharp, but Derek wasn’t listening. He rushed to Autumn’s side, dropping to...