Five Secret Families

Three words. 

"I'm sorry, child." 

And everything suddenly fell apart. 

Hera stared at Old Madam Zhu blankly as the latter whimpered, begging her to leave her family alone. She didn't follow everything Old Madam Zhu said, as her mind was stuck in the first confession. It brought back all those painful memories in the past.

"I regret everything…" Old Madam Zhu sobbed, her hand that was squeezing Hera's trembled. "... forgive me."

"You… you're that person who called her," Hera blurted out as she automatically rose from her seat, facing the old madam in dismay. "You're the one who lured her out and… killed her."

Old Madam Zhu sniffed as she gazed up at the pair of fiery eyes cast upon her. Despite her old age, she could feel the sense of dread creeping up her spine under Hera's gaze. 

"It was a long story, Hera —"