"It's speculated that a serial killer is responsible for several murders happening recently in and around our city's Newport Street. Victims were mostly females aged between 18 to 28."The crimes were committed during rainy nights. The public is advised to avoid going out at night…"The window was suddenly flung open as it started pouring outside. Strong gusts of wind flapped the curtains as drops of rainwater sprayed into the room.When I had just closed the window after much difficulty, the news broadcast showing on the TV came to an abrupt halt.It went completely dark around me as there seemed to be a power outage.The phone in my pocket vibrated just then. The high-pitched ringtone stood out against the quiet surroundings.It happened to be a call from a lady, who used to work for our family, that I had not gotten in touch with for a long time. A voice tinged with worry came down the line."Liv, why didn't you pick up the phone? Have you seen the news? There has been so muc
I squeezed my eyes shut. However, the heavy blow I was expecting did not happen even after some time had passed.Another person's voice came from outside the door."What's this? Are you trying to kill her?" A man's deep voice reverberated through the room.I lifted my head and looked in the direction of the voice. Someone was standing at the door.A flash of lightning outside shone some light into the room. The light fell on the stranger's face as well.His eyes were hidden behind his long fringe. The man had a straight nose and chiseled jaw. A long scar ran down his right cheek.The man seemed like someone one should never pick a fight with.Arthur appeared to have noticed that too. He did not swing the vase at me. Instead, an awkward smile was plastered across his face."Sorry for being a nuisance, dude. I'm trying to teach my woman a lesson here. I'll be done with it very soon."Arthur pulled me up to my feet. Yet, he did not loosen the grip over my wrist."Let's go. We're
"What about you? What's your name?"The stranger seemed a little hesitant. After a while, he let out a soft sigh. "You'll find out very soon."It was already late at night by the time the wires and my door were fixed.I was both mentally and physically drained. My mind was a mess as I lay in bed.I wondered if I should move somewhere else and if there were any good hiding places.I spent half a year before succeeding in divorcing Arthur. Since then, he had been following and harassing me like an annoying leech.I had reported Arthur to the authorities and gotten him taken into police custody for some time. Yet, Arthur only acted more brazenly after he was released. It was a nightmare.As I closed my eyes, my phone vibrated. I reflexively sat up in bed. My heart dropped.There was a sinister feeling as I stared at the phone, which seemed to vibrate ceaselessly.After having repeatedly steeled myself, I slowly picked up the phone.Although an unknown number was shown, I knew th
I was going to put an end to everything today.Few cab drivers worked on New Year's Eve. A heavy silence lingered in the air as the driver and I did not engage in a conversation after I got into a cab.I was not sure if it was because it was warm in the car or the calming effects of the diffuser's scent. Somehow, I dozed off at some point.By the time I woke up, I could see that the car was driving on a dark road."Mister? I don't think this is the right way?"It was too late when I finally realized something was off. I rammed my head into the back of the car seat as the driver slammed on the car brakes abruptly.The driver got out of the car, opened the backseat door, and tried to pull me out of the car.His rough hands gripped tightly around my ankle as he dragged me away.I was powerless against him.Fear gripped me. My shrill screams echoed through the quiet woods. In the distance, clusters of colorful fireworks went off in the night sky.The man yanked my hair and presse
As I listened to the sound of wind blowing, I could feel someone put their arms around me and lift me.Nathan hugged me so tightly as if he was afraid I might disappear at any moment. I had a little cough as I found it hard to breathe.Nathan let go of me and tore a strip of cloth from his shirt. Then, he wrapped the cloth around my hand, which was still dripping blood."Olivia, you know I'm not that kind of person. Why didn't you come and visit me while I was still in prison?"I never considered getting my revenge by taking someone else's life. I won't do that now. I didn't plan on doing that seven years ago either."He raised his head. Those gray eyes were bright with tears.As he blinked, a tear rolled down his cheek and fell onto the back of my hand."Olivia, please believe me. I hadn't once considered killing your sister. Please…"It was my first time seeing Nathan cry. Unfortunately, I could no longer keep myself conscious.The shock and physical pain I was put through t
He sighed, "It's tough living in a family like this, right? Don't worry. You and I share the same realities."I flinched upon hearing his words. I could hardly believe my ears."The same realities?"He nodded. "That's right."Nathan adjusted the scarf that was wrapped around his neck and waved his hand at me."I'll see you next time."I thought it was just an unusual encounter that occurred to me in my dull, monotonous life.Later on, I learned from the conversations between my father and others that Nathan was also someone's illegitimate child, whose existence was kept hidden at first.Yet, Nathan managed to gain his family's acknowledgment since he was good at almost everything.Just like what he had said, Nathan and I met again after that.He taught me how not to feel inferior to others. He also taught me that I did not have to put myself down just to please others and to not bother about other people's feelings too much.I learned how to walk confidently and how to conve
Julia, who was in shock, suffered an attack of her heart disease. In the end, they were unable to save her.After that, my father spent a lot of money and hired lawyers from the most famous law firm. He wanted to completely crush Nathan and make sure the latter received the most severe punishments.Although Nathan was the mastermind, he did not take part in the sexual assaults of Julia. Moreover, Julia's cause of death was found to be sudden cardiac arrest.At that point, it was impossible to determine whether Nathan was only pretending to harm Julia or if he truly intended to kill her.Nathan was eventually sentenced to seven years in prison.In September of the following year, my father ordered me to drop out of college and get married to lessen his financial burden. Otherwise, he would stop paying for my maternal grandmother's medical treatment.The Cohen couple were trying to humiliate me by gaining every last benefit they could through me. Deep down, I knew that they would r
"Pass me my phone! Hurry!"There were dozens of missed calls and unread messages filled with threats and curses on my phone. I even received a screenshot from my former colleague."Olivia, look! Is that you? This video has gained over 100 thousand views on this app overseas. A colleague took a screenshot and sent it to me asking if that was you. The video is going viral."My heart was racing, and I felt like I was about to suffocate.Arthur had gone and uploaded those videos to online websites!I saw something even more horrifying after that."You bitch! No wonder your neighbor looked so familiar. He's your first love, huh? Did you guys get together as soon as he was released from prison?"How scandalous! You're sleeping with the man who raped and murdered your sister. Would you like to have more people know about you two?"I'm going to make you two wish you were dead."I was overcome with despair.The person who could start over was Nathan, but not me.Arthur was like a dem
Arthur groaned in pain. His saliva dripped onto the floor. "Why you…"I lifted the rock, which was stained with Arthur's blood on one end, once more.Arthur yelped, "Don't hit me! I beg you! I was wrong. Please spare me!"He suppressed his anger and looked at me desperately, "I promise that I won't harass you anymore if you let me go now."I scoffed. "Someone like you will never think that you're in the wrong. If I let you go, you'll only think of ways to get back at me by making me grovel and beg for your mercy. Am I right?"Arthur, whose plans I had guessed correctly, shook his head vigorously. He begged, "I won't harass you ever again. I swear… I beg of you, Olivia. We were once husband and wife."I swung the rock at him. One time, two times, three times… I went on bashing him until that side of his face was bloody and mutilated.Arthur's agonized cries and my hysterical laughter echoed through the desolate factory building.Drops of his blood splattered on my face, and I in
Things were not supposed to turn out like this.We eventually decided to have dinner at an old restaurant we had visited years ago. I could see a flickering candle on our table and how Nathan had a gentle look in his eyes."Liv, you looked quite distracted the whole day. I know you went through things you shouldn't have been put through during the years I was away."That's all in the past now. No one will be able to hurt you anymore."Nathan hesitated for a bit before saying, "You can tell me if you're facing any issues. I can help you."It did not sound like Nathan was only saying that for a hypothetical situation.I did not respond to that. Instead, I lit the candles on the birthday cake. Suppressing the bitter feelings inside, I forced a smile."I want to make a wish first."Nathan nodded and fumbled slightly while pushing the cake toward me.I put my hands together and leaned forward. Then, I repeated my birthday wishes in my heart."I hope Nathan stays happy and healthy
"Pass me my phone! Hurry!"There were dozens of missed calls and unread messages filled with threats and curses on my phone. I even received a screenshot from my former colleague."Olivia, look! Is that you? This video has gained over 100 thousand views on this app overseas. A colleague took a screenshot and sent it to me asking if that was you. The video is going viral."My heart was racing, and I felt like I was about to suffocate.Arthur had gone and uploaded those videos to online websites!I saw something even more horrifying after that."You bitch! No wonder your neighbor looked so familiar. He's your first love, huh? Did you guys get together as soon as he was released from prison?"How scandalous! You're sleeping with the man who raped and murdered your sister. Would you like to have more people know about you two?"I'm going to make you two wish you were dead."I was overcome with despair.The person who could start over was Nathan, but not me.Arthur was like a dem
Julia, who was in shock, suffered an attack of her heart disease. In the end, they were unable to save her.After that, my father spent a lot of money and hired lawyers from the most famous law firm. He wanted to completely crush Nathan and make sure the latter received the most severe punishments.Although Nathan was the mastermind, he did not take part in the sexual assaults of Julia. Moreover, Julia's cause of death was found to be sudden cardiac arrest.At that point, it was impossible to determine whether Nathan was only pretending to harm Julia or if he truly intended to kill her.Nathan was eventually sentenced to seven years in prison.In September of the following year, my father ordered me to drop out of college and get married to lessen his financial burden. Otherwise, he would stop paying for my maternal grandmother's medical treatment.The Cohen couple were trying to humiliate me by gaining every last benefit they could through me. Deep down, I knew that they would r
He sighed, "It's tough living in a family like this, right? Don't worry. You and I share the same realities."I flinched upon hearing his words. I could hardly believe my ears."The same realities?"He nodded. "That's right."Nathan adjusted the scarf that was wrapped around his neck and waved his hand at me."I'll see you next time."I thought it was just an unusual encounter that occurred to me in my dull, monotonous life.Later on, I learned from the conversations between my father and others that Nathan was also someone's illegitimate child, whose existence was kept hidden at first.Yet, Nathan managed to gain his family's acknowledgment since he was good at almost everything.Just like what he had said, Nathan and I met again after that.He taught me how not to feel inferior to others. He also taught me that I did not have to put myself down just to please others and to not bother about other people's feelings too much.I learned how to walk confidently and how to conve
As I listened to the sound of wind blowing, I could feel someone put their arms around me and lift me.Nathan hugged me so tightly as if he was afraid I might disappear at any moment. I had a little cough as I found it hard to breathe.Nathan let go of me and tore a strip of cloth from his shirt. Then, he wrapped the cloth around my hand, which was still dripping blood."Olivia, you know I'm not that kind of person. Why didn't you come and visit me while I was still in prison?"I never considered getting my revenge by taking someone else's life. I won't do that now. I didn't plan on doing that seven years ago either."He raised his head. Those gray eyes were bright with tears.As he blinked, a tear rolled down his cheek and fell onto the back of my hand."Olivia, please believe me. I hadn't once considered killing your sister. Please…"It was my first time seeing Nathan cry. Unfortunately, I could no longer keep myself conscious.The shock and physical pain I was put through t
I was going to put an end to everything today.Few cab drivers worked on New Year's Eve. A heavy silence lingered in the air as the driver and I did not engage in a conversation after I got into a cab.I was not sure if it was because it was warm in the car or the calming effects of the diffuser's scent. Somehow, I dozed off at some point.By the time I woke up, I could see that the car was driving on a dark road."Mister? I don't think this is the right way?"It was too late when I finally realized something was off. I rammed my head into the back of the car seat as the driver slammed on the car brakes abruptly.The driver got out of the car, opened the backseat door, and tried to pull me out of the car.His rough hands gripped tightly around my ankle as he dragged me away.I was powerless against him.Fear gripped me. My shrill screams echoed through the quiet woods. In the distance, clusters of colorful fireworks went off in the night sky.The man yanked my hair and presse
"What about you? What's your name?"The stranger seemed a little hesitant. After a while, he let out a soft sigh. "You'll find out very soon."It was already late at night by the time the wires and my door were fixed.I was both mentally and physically drained. My mind was a mess as I lay in bed.I wondered if I should move somewhere else and if there were any good hiding places.I spent half a year before succeeding in divorcing Arthur. Since then, he had been following and harassing me like an annoying leech.I had reported Arthur to the authorities and gotten him taken into police custody for some time. Yet, Arthur only acted more brazenly after he was released. It was a nightmare.As I closed my eyes, my phone vibrated. I reflexively sat up in bed. My heart dropped.There was a sinister feeling as I stared at the phone, which seemed to vibrate ceaselessly.After having repeatedly steeled myself, I slowly picked up the phone.Although an unknown number was shown, I knew th
I squeezed my eyes shut. However, the heavy blow I was expecting did not happen even after some time had passed.Another person's voice came from outside the door."What's this? Are you trying to kill her?" A man's deep voice reverberated through the room.I lifted my head and looked in the direction of the voice. Someone was standing at the door.A flash of lightning outside shone some light into the room. The light fell on the stranger's face as well.His eyes were hidden behind his long fringe. The man had a straight nose and chiseled jaw. A long scar ran down his right cheek.The man seemed like someone one should never pick a fight with.Arthur appeared to have noticed that too. He did not swing the vase at me. Instead, an awkward smile was plastered across his face."Sorry for being a nuisance, dude. I'm trying to teach my woman a lesson here. I'll be done with it very soon."Arthur pulled me up to my feet. Yet, he did not loosen the grip over my wrist."Let's go. We're