**Justice for Lily: A Tale That Began with Betrayal**
*— Why do you let him treat you like this, Lily? You’re not his property! You’re strong—you can get out of this,* whispered Emily, curled up on the sofa.
Lily sighed deeply and murmured in reply:
*— He’s my father. And he’s got a signed document that says, in black and white, “unstable.” That’s why I’m stuck here. He’s not just a rich man—he’s a man with power. No matter how far I run, he’ll find me. There’s no breaking this cycle…*
*— Well, while you’re here, at least help me. I’ll pay you, fair and square,* Lily said with a conspiratorial wink.
*— I’d help you for free,* Emily smiled. *But I won’t say no. I’ll need the money when I’m free again. I don’t need magic to know something’s wrong. But to confirm my visions—I’ll need a lock of your hair.*
Quickly, Emily pulled out a small knife and snipped a few strands.
*— Tonight, we’ll have answers. Whatever potion they slipped you, why you’re drowning in despair instead of protected—we’ll figure it out.*
The next morning, Lily couldn’t find Emily. She dodged her, hid in corners, vanished during check-ups.
*— Why are you avoiding me?* Lily finally cornered her in the garden. *We had a deal!*
*— You won’t believe me,* Emily muttered darkly. *You’ll think I’m spinning tales for cash.*
*— Enough. Tell me what you saw.*
Emily led her to a secluded bench and sat close.
*— Listen carefully. I dreamt…*
James stretched lazily in bed.
*— Wake up, sleepyhead. I’ve found our next mark.*
*— Let me sleep…* he groaned.
*— You can sleep later. Look—here’s the paper. See this woman? Her name’s Lily. Co-owner of a corporation, no family except… her future husband. And if all goes well—that’ll be you.*
*— Marriage?* James croaked.
*— Yes. But first—make her fall for you. Play the kind, humble, hardworking man with nothing to his name. She’ll pity you, help you, invest in your “business.”*
*— Then I vanish with it all? And you step in?*
*— Exactly, love,* Sarah stroked his hair. *Once she agrees to a ritual, thinking she’s helping you—I’ll slip in a curse. A demon will feast on her mind. Then—an “accident.” The inheritance is yours.*
*— If it works…*
*— It will. We’ve got magic. And each other.*
When Emily finished, Lily sat silent, lips pressed tight.
*— Well?* Emily finally asked.
*— I’ll act. First, we banish the demon. Then—retribution.*
*— Warn you now—they’ll bolt if we dawdle. People like that don’t wait around.*
*— I’m ready. Help me send it back.*
Emily snipped another lock.
*— Be prepared. When it’s gone, Sarah will know. You’ll have little time.*
That night, Lily barely slept. She shook, woke gasping, heard whispers in her ear. But by dawn—it was over. The world felt brighter. People—normal again.
*— Emily! It’s gone!* She rushed to her friend’s room—only to find her moved. Something had happened overnight.
*— She’ll return when she’s better,* the nurse promised.
Lily couldn’t reach Sarah or James. Their phones rang hollow. They’d fled. Now, she just needed to leave—and thank Emily.
*— You’re alive!* Lily cried when Emily returned.
*— Barely. Sent the demon back, almost got trapped with it,* she rasped. *You?*
*— They’re gone. Vanished. I’m recovering. Doctor says I’ll be discharged soon.*
*— I’m stuck. Dad extended my stay. But you’ll visit?*
*— Of course. How do I reach you?*
*— Like this.* Emily cut another lock and handed it over. *Tuck it under your pillow—I’ll hear you.*
*— And revenge?*
*— I won’t dirty my hands. I want justice.*
*— Then leave it to me. I’ll appeal to higher powers. Let them decide who deserves what.*
**Six months later**
Lily lounged with a glass of wine, flipping through a private investigator’s file.
Sarah and James had run. Lily returned to an emptied flat. Her accounts—drained. Every penny she’d poured into his “business”—gone.
Sarah quit her job and disappeared. James jetted off with her. But their paradise crumbled fast. Money didn’t save them. They fought. Split the spoils—and split apart.
Sarah crossed the wrong person. The investigator said they’d found her… or hadn’t. Presumed at the bottom of the ocean.
*— Magic didn’t save you, Sarah,* Lily whispered.
And James? Fell back into scams. Lost. Owed too much. Had nothing left—except his organs.
*— At least he saved someone’s life…* Lily bowed her head. *All fair in the end.*
As for Emily? She lived deep in the woods where Lily’s father once planned holiday homes. Lily gifted her the land—a refuge. A sanctuary. A home.
Lily drew the lock of hair from a box and smiled.
*— So, old friend… Fancy a chat? I’ll visit soon. Our holiday will be magical.*
**Lesson learned: Justice isn’t always swift, but it comes for those who earn it.**
