[|]

"There's no need to pretend anymore," I said to Maddy who bowed her head.

I took a step forward. I saw the way she clenched her hands tight and how her shoulders went up and down. It was time for her to give up. We had everything to send her to jail. Ashton's testament, Ruth's kidnapping case, and the faces of those men who held her captive.

"Enough of everything. You can no longer fool any of us," I said and she raised her head.

Maddy had a blank look on her face as she stared at me. I couldn't tell what she was thinking and it was nerve-wracking because I wanted her to react.

"Is that it?" She asked, deadpanned. "Are you trying to play a prank on me or something?"

I furrowed my eyebrows at her question. I didn't know if she was asking because she was playing dumb or revealing herself to me.

"Enough of the act," Lucas said, coming to a stop beside me. "You've been exposed and there is no need to pretend anymore. We know everything you've done."

Maddy crossed her arms and slowly, a smirk appeared on her lips. She raised an eyebrow and chuckled then uncrossed her arms. She began to clap her hands.

"It took every one of you a year to figure it all out and I was getting tired. Bravo, everyone. Bravo. Now, do you want a medal?" She asked and a frown masked her face.

"I can't believe you would do this to me. What did I ever do?" I asked in a shaky voice and she rolled her eyes.

"Don't play stupid. If you're able to find the truth about me, you should know why I did this," Maddy said.

"Well, it's over. Turn yourself in and we won't have to hurt you," Lucas said in a hard tone.

"Not unless you catch me first," Maddy said and I got confused until she turned around and ran away so fast that we didn't expect it to happen.

I dashed forward while Ruth tried to block her path but Maddy pushed her away, making her fall to the ground with a groan. I ran past Ruth when Lucas stayed with her.

"Stop!" I yelled as Maddy ran into the corner of the building.

I cornered the building just as she did and cursed under my breath when she was already close to her car. I increased my speed but was too late as she boarded her car and reversed, crashing into a car. She sped off, burning the rubber of her tire. I staggered to a stop and leaned over my knees. I panted so fast, my heart burning from the race I had just had.

I stared at her car getting smaller in the distance as she drove off. I stood straight when Lucas ran to me, breathing hard.

"Where is she?"

"She's gone," I answered through heavy breathing.

"Fuck! We can't let her go far!" Lucas yelled.

"She was just too fast," I said and placed a hand on my stomach when it ached a bit.

"Are you okay? You exhausted yourself," Lucas said in worry and held my shoulder.

"I'm fine. It might just be stomach cramps from the running," I said and leaned onto his shoulder, while my eyes were still glued on the road ahead. "We need to keep an eye on Maddy. I don't know where she might go but we need to have her on our radar."

"Don't worry, Axel and his partner are on that. She shouldn't be too far from us. We'll find her and put her in prison where she belongs," Lucas said reassuringly.

"Where's Ashton? He shouldn't be alone," I said out of panic.

"I handcuffed him to his seat. He won't be going anywhere."

I swallowed and thought back to what had happened a few minutes ago. The truth was finally out to Maddy and her days were numbered.

[|]

I paced around the living room of Lucas' apartment as we waited for any news from Axel on the whereabouts of Maddy. It was nighttime already and we haven't heard anything from her, so it was worrisome for me and the others.

When the front door opened and Axel rushed into the house, followed by a tall, muscular fellow with curly dark hair. I suspected they were Axel's partner.

"What do you have for us?" Lucas asked as he descended from the steps.

"Hello, everyone," Axel said and I rolled my eyes. "Right, not necessary. Uh, my partner here; Barry. We were able to find information about Maddy. We placed a tracking device on her car the last time we were keeping an eye on her "

"So, where is she?"

Barry stepped forward. "Maddy has left the city. She was last reported heading toward Redside an hour ago."

I rushed to Barry, shocked at the statement.

"Maddy is heading to Redside?" I asked, disbelief flowing through my mind.

"It can't be possible. What could she be doing at Redside? Anyone caught red-handed wouldn't go somewhere that'll have people searching for her," Lucas said.

"We don't know why but we need to catch her before she leaves. If she leaves the country, I don't think it'll be easy to catch her."

I wrapped my arms around my body and began to think of the possibility of Maddy leaving for good. The thought made me angry as she had no right to run away from us after everything she has caused for us. Even if she escaped, she would not stop running until karma caught up to her.

"What are we waiting for?" I asked. "We need to go to Redside and have the police on her case."

Axel shook his head. "Even the police in Redside is under the payroll of her father. They won't arrest her even if she is caught killing someone by them."

"That's true," Ruth said. "I had seen an officer outside the room I was locked in and called for help but he saw me and acted like he didn't see me injured."

I gritted my teeth as their words became clear to me.

"She won't be protected for long," I said. "I don't care if she has to get arrested or not, Maddy will not escape her punishment."

"What's the plan?" Barry asked.

"We leave for Redside now. Whatever happens, there will determine what our future will be. We cannot let Maddy escape, we cannot let her go so easily. Maddy almost made me lose Jackie and our baby, I will not let her go unpunished. I am ready to end her life if it demands so," Lucas swore passionately and I smiled.

"Alright, let's start packing. It's going to take four hours to drive there," Barry said and made their way to the kitchen and placed a laptop on the counter. "I'll check up on her last location. Y'all need to pack up."

The door opened and Jared walked in, sucking on a lollipop. He waved at everyone and Lucas walked over to Ruth who was sitting on the couch.

"Ruth, you'll stay here with Jared."

"What?" Ruth said and rose to her feet. "I want to come with you. I'm not sitting back here while you go beat that bitch up."

"Language," Axel said from his position beside me. "And Lucas is right. You have to stay here. I already called your girlfriend and she's on her way here. You need to stay here. This might be dangerous as Redside won't be safe for any of us. Ruth, we love you and you've been through a lot."

"Listen to your brothers, kiddo. Don't worry, I'm a fun person. We can even go out and watch some movie and all those things girls do; pedicure and stuff," Jared chipped in.

"You want me to get my nails down while my brothers are after a maniac?" Ruth asked in a harsh tone.

"Maybe not that," Jared added after, hands up in surrender.

The room was silent for some seconds before Ruth sighed.

"Fine. You can go but promise me that you two will come back safe and sound... You too, Jackie."

I tensed at her words directed to me and nodded.

"I will," I said and she smiled.

"Now, go catch that bitch. If you don't, y'all are wimps," Ruth said and everyone laughed.