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Continued...

Her grip tightens around the vase as she looks into the shocked eyes of her lover. Within moments she violently raises the vase and releases her grip upon smashing it over Braden's skull. She stands back for a moment and covers her mouth when realizing what she has done. Meanwhile, Braden lays on the ground as blood begins to trickle down the side of his face.

"Claud...Claudia..." He mutters under his breath as he fights for the words.

"I'm so sorry...I'm sorry this had to happen to you," she replies as she looks around the room as if others were watching from behind.

He should be the one that's sorry, Miss Kimberly...He looked at you like you were crazy. No one gets away with that...you're perfectly fine, Miss Kimberly. Perfectly fine.

"You're...you're crazy..." he mumbles, harder this time to understand his words.

"No Braden, I'm not crazy. You're crazy for falling for such a charade. I have always been in control and I always will..."

"I need help...my head."

Kimberly looks down at him once more and, for a brief moment, she begins to feel sympathy for him. She begins to feel his agonizing pain as she lowers herself to the ground.

"You'll be fine," she replies. "Just fine. I'll take care of you. You know how much I love you, Braden."

He looks back up at her empty eyes as she replies. He could never have imagined how psychotic she truly was. But now? Was this finally enough to prove to him that everything was a lie?

"I just can't believe your words weren't genuine for so long...I thought you did love me. But how could you do this to me?"

"Like I said...I do love you with all my heart. But sometimes, my dear..." Kimberly produces a grim smile and continues. "Love hurts."


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Scene: Landon Manor.

Emily drives aggressively past the security gate of the community and flies towards her mansion on the hill. She has just been informed that Kayla is missing and is planning to meet Rick at her home with the mysterious less she left.

"Rick! Let me see this letter you have." Emily commands him to hand it over after she meets him in the courtyard.

"Here it is," Rick replies as he hands her the folded up letter.

She studies the letter for a moment before shaking her head in disbelief. There is no way that Kayla would leave her own daughter...her pride and joy. There had to be something more going on that neither have them had seen.

"This can't be real," Emily shakes her head and grunts. "There is just no way that she would leave like this. I'm very close with my niece. There is no conceivable way that she would leave and not tell me."

"Well, you need to believe it. Just as I was shocked over this, you have to realize what has happened, Emily. Kayla is goneand God knows when she's ever going to return."

"No...No. There is no way. There's just no way."

"No way about what?" Vanessa joins them from behind after overhearing Emily's last statement.

"You've finally done it, Vanessa. You drove her away!" Emily scolds her as she hands over the letter for Vanessa to read.

"Wait...what? When did she write this?" Vanessa inquires.

"I just received it at home a few hours ago," Rick explains. "She called over Valerie to watch Haylie and she left with all her things. I have no idea where she went.can you think of any places?"

Vanessa's mouth opens in shock as she mulls over possible places that Kayla could be.

"No...I mean, she's always lived here in Pac Heights. She doesn't know anything else out there..."

"There's no extended family living elsewhere?"

"No. I mean, I have some family in France that she met when she was young. But there's no way that she has been in contact with him. I mean, at least I don't think there is..."

"Does Kayla even have a passport?" Emily adds in.

"Yes, she does. She was planning to go to France in a few years when Haylie was older." Rick reveals.

"You think she went there?" Vanessa looks to Rick.

"It's a possibility. We have to trust any leads we have and take them seriously."

"I agree." Emily chimes in.

"Well, I'll call my sister in France and see what's up. Perhaps she's heard something." Vanessa frantically adds before racing back to the house.

"Damn it Rick, we both know why she left..." Emily shoots a cold glare in his direction.

"Emily, please..."

"You better pray we find her and she gets back home safely. If not, you're going to have hell to pay..."

To be Continued...

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Now your thoughts...

• What does Kimberly have in store for Braden next?
• Will the family be able to track down Kayla?
• Will Steve act upon his feelings towards Stacey?
• Can Valerie and Terrence ever find peace?
  
  Please let us know your thoughts and any other feedback you have in the Pac Heights Forum!