Chapter 1

"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 much news about that serial killer recently. The latest murder happened right on the street where you're staying!"

The room was briefly illuminated as there was a flash of lightning outside.

I thought my heart was about to jump out of my chest. I replied in a subdued voice, "I saw the news. I've stayed in for the past few days."

The lady lowered her voice and said cautiously, "Also, the main reason I'm calling you this time is because…"

She paused for two seconds before continuing hesitantly, "Nathan Eastwood was released from prison recently. You need to be careful."

She ended the call in a hurry after saying that. Meanwhile, I was left all by myself as the shock sank in.

"Nathan Eastwood… Has it been seven years already?" I thought.

Amid the pitter-patter of the rain, I managed to pick up the sound of hurried, approaching footsteps coming from outside the door. Those footsteps probably belonged to a man judging by how heavy they sounded.

I had a sense of foreboding…

The sound of someone pounding at the door came the next instant. It felt like the person was trying to tear down the door forcibly with how hard they were going at it.

I instinctively pressed the number 911 on my phone. However, it was too late. I did not manage to press the dial button.

The person broke in through the door and pounced at me the moment he laid his eyes on me.

"Olivia Cohen, did you think you could hide from me by staying here?"

He yanked my hair and dragged me toward him.

"You dare think of divorcing me? Do you have a death wish?"

I was glad the person who broke in was not the serial killer. At the same time, I was horrified by the fact that Arthur Langley, my ex-husband, who put me through years of physical abuse, had managed to find me.

Arthur hurled me toward one of the sharp edges of the coffee table. The pain was so intense that I even forgot to scream.

Then, he threw a few punches at my stomach. I curled up on the floor, crying in pain.

Arthur seized my wrist and said in a demanding tone, "Come home with me. I'm giving you one last warning. Don't even think about running away."

Even though I turned my head and glared at Arthur, my body was shaking uncontrollably due to fear.

Previously, Arthur's violent behavior only became worse each time I decided to give in and tolerate him. I refused to live that hellish life again.

I spat in his face and chuckled bitterly.

"As I've said, we're divorced. I won't follow you home. The only way you can make me do that is by beating me to death and bringing my corpse home with you."

The veins on Arthur's forehead bulged. His eyes blazed with fury.

"Did you think I wouldn't kill you?"

Arthur's chest heaved. He grabbed a nearby vase made of glass and raised it above his head…