Chapter 2

Today was worse than usual—a relentless downpour, with thunder and lightning flashing all day.

In the afternoon, as I went downstairs to get some water, I overheard two young housekeepers chattering away. They were so engrossed in their conversation, they didn't notice me approaching.

"This weather's been creepy lately," one of them said.

"Totally. Do you think it could be Julie Tanner's ghost coming back?"

"Oh, don't say that!" The other laughed, but then added, "Still, if she did come back, Miss Harper would be the first one in trouble. After all, Julie died in the room where she's staying now."

A glass slipped from my hand, shattering on the floor. I grabbed the nearest housekeeper's arm, my face pale. "What did you just say?"

The housekeeper, flustered, pulled back, shaking her head. "N-nothing, Miss Harper. We were just gossiping. Don't take it seriously."

Before I could press her further, they both scurried off, leaving me chilled to the bone.

Was Zachary doing this on purpose? Did he deliberately put me in the room where someone had died?

After much coaxing, I finally got the truth from one of the housekeepers. Julie, a former employee, was always fooling around during working hours with the cook in that very room. She'd then grown bored and started seeing the driver instead. When the cook found out, he lost his temper and, in a fit of rage, strangled her right there.

Now, even passing by that room made my skin crawl. Entering it was out of the question.

Zachary had to have done this on purpose. It was his way of subtly getting back at me for betraying him.

But what could I do about it? What could I possibly do…

At midnight, the whole house was brightly lit, but I still sat on the sofa in the downstairs living room, fighting off my growing sense of dread as I waited for Zachary to come home.

The staff had long since gone for the day, leaving me completely alone.

As the clock neared midnight, my fear deepened until I could hardly stand it. Just as I was about to call Zachary to ask when he'd be back, I heard the rumble of an engine outside.

Instantly, I felt as though I could breathe again. I tossed aside the book I hadn't been reading and ran to the door.

I didn't care about anything else in that moment. I just needed someone there, someone to stay with me.

When the door opened, Zachary looked taken aback.

I must have looked ridiculous, standing there barefoot, with tangled hair and red-rimmed eyes. It wasn't until then that I realized how cold the hardwood floor was under my bare feet.

He frowned, exuding the sharp, no-nonsense air of someone who'd just left a high-stakes business meeting. "What's wrong?"

I forced back my tears and managed to speak, though my voice was choked. "Did you… did you do it on purpose? Putting me in that room where someone died?"

He raised an eyebrow, comprehension dawning on his face. But he seemed unfazed. "You actually believe that? I didn't think it was a big deal. Besides, you don't even remember it, so it shouldn't matter."

He paused and asked, "How did you find out?"

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I looked at him, realizing he might not have meant any harm after all. My earlier resentment towards him quietly faded away.

Seeing me silent, he sighed and gently wiped away my tears, his voice softening. "It's late. Go get some rest."

With that, he turned and walked away.

I stood there, wringing my hands, helplessly watching his retreating figure as the tears flowed even harder.

Outside, the storm raged on, with thunder and lightning splitting the sky. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with shadows and fear.

Of course, it was probably all in my head.

How was I supposed to get through the night on my own?