After leaving the Larson estate, I hailed a cab and made my way back to my childhood home
alone.
Ever since my parents died in that tragic car ident, debt had forced me to sell off all our properties
except for this one old house. It was a haven of memories, all that remained of my life with Mom and
Dad.
Stepping out of the taxi, I was greeted by the sight of a ce I hadn’t seen in ages, stirring a whirlwind
of emotions within me.
I retrieved the key hidden beneath a flowerpot and stood motionless at the threshold for a long time
before I could bring myself to unlock the door.
The house was quiet, filled with photographs of me and remnants of my parents‘ life.
It seemed as though nothing had changed, yet everything was different.
Sitting on the couch, I gazed at a painting on the wall, lost in a dreamlike reverie.
“Click—”
Suddenly, a faint noise came from behind me.
My body tensed instantly, every nerve on edge.
Was someone in my house?
I didn’t dare to turn around; instead, my hand slowly crept towards my phone, intending to call the
police.
But it’s always the same in moments of sheer panic – fumbling and clumsy, it took an eternity to unlock
the screen.
I could feel someone’s gaze boring into my back, getting closer.
With a sharp intake of breath, I spun around to face the intruder.
There, in the doorway, stood a man gripping a bat, his face dark with intent.
Frozen in ce, I was mute with terror.
N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.
This man…
Tall, with a scowl that could freeze blood. His right cheek was marred by arge burn scar, and his
fingers bore simr marks. His appearance was the stuff of nightmares.
The fear I felt was identical to the terror that gripped me just before my death.
“Have you been following me?” His voice was gravelly.
My mouth opened, but no words came out – it was fear manifest, emanating from my very soul.
16:16
“How did you know I’d be here?” He furrowed his brow, tossing aside the bat as if he was used to
conversing with me.
I could only stare, rigid with shock.
That voice… It had to be the same man who killed me. But he seemed to recognize me?
No, that’s not right. I was now assuming Foebe’s identity.
Why would he recognize me?
“I… didn’t know you’d be here,” I murmured, taking a deep breath. “This was Phoebe’s ce.
wasn’t it? I’ve been getting close to her friend Ste recently, and she mentioned where Phoebe used
to live.”
The man settled himself on the sofa. “I’m justying low here for a few days.”
I remained standing, stiff as a board.
“It seems your imitation has been quite sessful,” he mocked dryly.
I remained silent, my body rigid with confusion.
What did he mean?
What was the connection between Foebe and this man? What was I supposed to be imitating?
“Brendan’s in trouble now.” I guessed, trying to connect the dots to my coboration with the Langley
family.
“You’re carrying his child?” He seemed uninterested in the Langley affairs, just staring at me with a dark
intensity.
A chill ran down my spine. This man looked like he could kill me at any moment.
But why… why would he be staying in my house?
“Yes…” I whispered.
Suddenly, the manughed, a wild, unhinged sound.
I tensed, unsure of what to say next.
“He thinks you’re Phoebe?” He spoke first as if talking to himself. “He actually believes you’re Phoebe?
Hah… So much for love that runs deep. Just any girl can step in and take Phoebe’s ce in his heart!”
I was gripped by rm, staring at him in shock.
What did he mean by mistaking me for Phoebe?
“Don’t get clever,” he snapped, his menacing aura intensifying. “You think by tracing Phoebe’s
footsteps, by imitating her, he’ll keep listening to you?”
I kept silent, letting him speak.
16:16
“Just do what I’ve told you, and don’t get any ideas,” he warned in a low, threatening tone.