That day, I literally passed out from the pain.


    Six days before my death, it was already daylight when I jolted awake.-


    The sun was shining brightly after the rain. I struggled to get up from the ground and found the


    bloodstains between my legs dried up.


    “Dexter, I’m so freaked out. What do I do?” It was Melody’s sobbing in the living room. She was


    shivering non–stop, saying she was on the killer’s radar. She was scared to die.


    “Dexter, we checked the security footage and Melody’s definitely been marked. Should we call the


    cops?” a voice came by.


    “No… Dexter, don’t call the police. The killer is brutal and only targets young women. The cops have


    found six bodies already but haven’t caught him. If we push him into a corner…” Melody shook her


    head in fear, refusing to call the police.


    “Melody, don’t be scared,” Dexter embraced her and soothed her softly. He knew how to act gentle; it’s


    just that he’s never spared me an ounce of it.


    I stood there, feeling awkward and stiff, caught between a rock and a hard ce.


    “Melody, what were you wearing when you walked through re Alley yesterday?” Dexter’s good


    buddy Chandler threw out a question.


    “A red dress,” Melody replied, ncing at me. “Phoebe…”


    I didn’t say anything, looked away, and my legs trembled as I walked towards the kitchen to get


    something to eat.


    “Dexter, I have an idea to lure out that killer, and once we catch him, we can call the cops. This way, we


    can prevent any mistakes and keep Melody safe,” Chandler said, looking at Dexter.


    Dexter nodded, “Let’s hear it.”


    “Get a woman to wear Melody’s dress and go to re Alley at midnight to draw the guy out. We’ll have


    cameras all around and keep an eye out; nothing will go wrong.“, Chandler suggested, looking at


    Dexter.


    Dexter frowned, “What kind of half–baked n is that? Are you sending your girlfriend?”


    Melody’s gaze fell on me again, and she spoke softly. “Phoebe, you look pale. Are you okay?”


    “Why do you care about her? She almost killed you and you’re still worried about her?” Dexter hugged


    Melody tighter and looked a little annoyed.


    My hand, which was getting hot coffee, hung in the air. The pain in my chest spread throughout my


    body.


    “Let her do it! She’s perfect! She almost killed Melody; she owes Melody, so let her make.


    Chacher 3


    amends!”


    N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    “Yeah! Send Phoebe. She and Melody look alike. Just send her!” his friends abetted.


    Panicking, I looked at Dexter and hoped to hear a refusal from him.


    He knew I was afraid of the dark: there was no way I could go to such a secluded ce in the middle of


    the night.


    Dexter paused for a moment, then looked at me with an icy gaze. After a long silence, he said, “You


    owe Melody, and you need to pay it back.”


    His words felt like a blow that threw me into an abyss.


    My fingers went numb, and the mug full of hot coffee slipped from my grasp, spilling all over my hand.


    The scalding water burned, but I felt numb.


    For ten years, I tried to warm this man’s heart, but failed.


    And Melody… she got his affection effortlessly.


    “I won’t go.” I refused. I couldn’t gamble with my life.


    “Dexter, stop pressuring Phoebe…” Melody’s eyes reddened. “Phoebe didn’t mean to push me down


    the stairs.”


    “Don’t defend her!” Dexter suddenly burst out.


    Even Melody was startled.


    He stood up and stormed towards me.


    I shook my head in fear, “I won’t go, Dexter!”


    “You don’t have a choice!” Dexter was adamant.


    “Our guys will watch over you; you won’t die.” he said that as if to reassure me.


    I lowered my head, tears scalding my eyes.


    “Once you’ve repaid your debt to Melody. I’ll consider it a fresh start for you and stop targeting you,” he


    said in a low voice like he was offering me a carrot.


    And stupidly. I believed it. “Will you really… ensure my safety?” I asked.


    “Of course.” Dexter snapped impatiently.


    “I don’t owe Melody anything, Dexter. If we catch the killer, can you promise me one thing?” I looked at


    him desperately. It wasn’t about bargaining with him: I had something eded to tell


    him.


    “Don’t push your luck” he snapped, his face hardening.


    I looked down, silent. Living with the Fitzgerald family, I was always walking on eggshells. I loved him,


    but I also feared him.


    “Fine, I’ll go,” I agreed. “Consider it repayment for when you saved me back then.”


    I entrusted my life to Dexter. Once this was over, I’d offer to break off our engagement to give him his


    freedom. I’d leave the country and never return to the Fitzgerald family.