Chapter 3

Rhea's Pov

A few minutes later, I stood in front of the mirror, fingers hovering over the white colored dress Kevin asked me to wear. It was the same one that I used to wear when they first met, three years ago. Kevin had always said it was that “soft moonlight” look that made him fall for her at first sight. Then Ginny moved in and started buying the same dresses.

I glanced at her reflection in the mirror. It was the same white dress but now it felt like a poor imitation. For a few minutes, I was confused on whether to go, or to ignore but despite the fact that I called off the marriage, I just couldn't let go of my feelings, I had loved Kevin for three whole years, so I decided to meet him.

By 6, I was standing in the middle of the park, waiting for Kevin to arrive. But time passed.

6:10.

7:00.

8:00.

The street lamps flickered one by one and finally, by 8:58, my phone rang.

“Why are you late again, Kevin?” I asked, frowning.

“You really do stand out in that white dress, Rhea.” Kevin chuckled on the other end, “Ginny’s been getting followed by some creep lately, he hacked into her phone and asked her to meet him at where you were standing tonight so take Ginny's place for tonight, this is a way that you can repay her for what she has done for you.”

My breath caught in my throat.

“What?”

“What?!” I whispered, blinking against the sting in my eyes as the chilly night air suddenly felt ten degrees colder.

Kevin's voice was maddeningly casual on the other end, “Don’t be so dramatic, Rhea. It’s just one night. If he shows up, act scared, scream or something, there’ll be people around. You’ll be fine.”

“You… you sent me here as bait?” My voice trembled, my fists curling tightly at my sides, “Because Ginny didn’t want to deal with a stalker? Because you didn’t want her to?”

“She’s delicate, Rhea. You know that.” He sighed, as if he were the one inconvenienced, “She’s already under so much pressure with the engagement and the family. Can’t you just do this one thing without turning it into some pity party?”

“You told me to wear this dress.” I said, my voice low with horror, realization dawning, “You planned this. You made me wear the same thing she would’ve worn… so he’d think I was her.”

Kevin was silent for a beat. Then, “You're overthinking it again.”

“No.” I whispered, “No, I’m finally thinking clearly.”

I looked around the empty park. The flickering streetlamp above me buzzed ominously, shadows stretching across the pavement like claws. A couple passed by, whispering and giggling, oblivious. But other than that, it was just me.

“You really hate me that much, don’t you?” I asked, “You were never going to come tonight. You didn’t want to talk. You just wanted me to take Ginny’s place one last time, like I’ve been doing my whole life. You don't even care if I live or die?”

“I don’t hate you.” Kevin said coolly, “I just don’t have time for someone who makes everything about themselves. This was Ginny’s problem, and you’re supposed to be family, right? Or does that only work when it benefits you? Don't be dramatic Rhea and just do as I said, I would be willing to forgive you for everything you did in the past and we can start anew.”

My hands trembled so violently that I nearly dropped the phone. For a second, I couldn’t speak. Then…

“Go to hell, Kevin.”

hung up and shoved the phone deep into my coat pocket, swallowing the lump in my throat. My legs felt like jelly, my pulse thudding in my ears. I turned around and started walking toward the park exit, hugging myself tightly as the cold wind blew against my damp cheeks. Just a few more steps and I’d be free of this nightmare.

But then…

Crunch.

The soft sound of a footstep on gravel. I froze. Slowly turned my head but not stopping my walk.

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.

My breath hitched. The steps were matching mine, just a second behind.

I picked up my pace and so did the person behind me. My heart slammed against my ribs as I broke into a run. The sound of feet pounding the ground grew louder behind me.

Panic exploded in my chest. I cut sharply across the path, shoes slipping on damp grass, “Help!” I tried to scream, but my voice cracked in my throat.

I didn’t even see the raised root.

My foot caught, and I fell. Hard. Pain exploded in my knees and palms as I hit the dirt. I scrambled to push myself up, but a hand shoved me back down.

“W…Wait! Stop!” I shrieked, thrashing wildly.

A weight pressed down on me, someone straddling my back.

“Thought you could run, you little slut?” the voice snarled into my ear. It was rough, furious, unhinged, “You thought you could seduce him and get away with it?”

I screamed, kicking, clawing at the ground, trying to throw him off. Then, the first stab landed in my abdomen. I gasped, the air rushing from my lungs.

Pain shot through me like lightning. I heard the fabric of my dress tear, once white and soft, now soaked in blood.

The man above me growled, his breath reeking of cigarettes and alcohol, “You filthy bitch! Trying to seduce Ginny’s boyfriend?! She told me what you were doing. How you were playing innocent, pretending to be the victim. So she sent me here to help her deal with you!”

“W… What?”

“W… What?” He knew Ginny? She was the one who sent him? My thoughts spiraled. None of it made sense, yet somehow it all did. Ginny knew that this would happen… She had sent this man to kill me. Why? Why did she hate me this much?!

Another stab tore through my side, and I screamed. My nails scraped across the ground, searching for anything, to hold onto.

But all I found was blood.

My blood.

And then, the night sky lit up. At first, I thought I was hallucinating. But no. I blinked, eyes stinging, and there they were, drones.

Hundreds of them and they formed letters that glowed in the sky, “Happy Birthday Ginny, My Princess. From Kevin. I love you."