Chapter 481
Chapter 481
“Ms. Finch, don’t forget to check your doors and windows tonight. I’ve heard there’s been a murder in the neighborhood and the killer is still on the loose. He hasn’t left Eldoria yet. You must be careful!” Norah warned me just before hanging up the phone.
I had been so busy arguing with my mom these past few days that I hadn’t paid much attention to the news. Hearing Norah’s words, was caught off guard.
“Alright, I got it,” I replied.
After hanging up, I immediately got up to check my front yard and locked the gate. Then I inspected all the other doors and windows. Only after making sure everything was locked did I breathe a sigh of relief.
Not having much appetite, I decided to give Serena and Brandon a bath and let them play with Daisy in the yard. Looking at Daisy’s growing size, I suddenly understood Neil’s intention behind getting the dog.
Daisy was a great deterrent!
My phone rang suddenly and it was Stella, her voice filled with rage. “Rena, I’m so mad at Mitch, that good-for-nothing jerk!”
“What happened?” I flinched, fearing that one day I might end up with a burst eardrum from her loud voice.
“He’s hired someone to spy on me and the kids!” Stella was so angry that she laughed, “He had the audacity to tell me it was because I wouldn’t let him see the kids and he missed them. I think he’s just asking for trouble!”
Last time Mitch had asked me to persuade Stella to let him see the kids, but I hadn’t agreed. I hadn’t expected him to resort to such measures. I didn’t know whether to call him stupid or dedicated.
Stella went on a long rant about Mitch and then the topic switched to Alicia, “Ali’s back, but she doesn’t look well. She’s been working harder than ever and she’s lost a lot of weight. It doesn’t look good.”
“Did she tell you what happened between her and Sean?” I asked.
“No, she wouldn’t say. I have no idea what went wrong over in Ylandia,” Stella sighed.
I was thousands of miles away from Alicia now and couldn’t talk to her in person. If she didn’t want to talk about it, then neither Stella nor I could do anything about it.
As I was chatting with Stella, I suddenly heard a noise from the living room, like someone had bumped into a chair.
I immediately stopped talking, staring at the door to the living room. The room had both a front and a back door, the front leading to the yard and the back to the backyard, which I rarely visited unless my parents were home to tend to the garden.
At that moment, only me, the kids, and Daisy were at home.
Daisy was lying beside me, not in the living room, so the noise couldn’t have been from her.
For a split second, I remembered what Norah had said about the escaped murderer in Eldoria.
A chill ran up my spine. My first concern was for Serena and Brandon. I didn’t dare to go into the living room to check, nor did I dare to leave.
“Ding dong!”
The doorbell suddenly body. startling me so much I thought my soul had almost left my
Murderers don’t usually rip doorbells, do they?
I got up and went to the door, peering through the peephole. Under the porch light, I saw
Neil standing there, his brows furrowed as he stared at the peephole.
Seeing Neil, I felt an inexplicable sense of relief, as if safety had just arrived.
I quickly opened the door, surprising Neil with my promptness.
“Why so eager?” Neil asked, looking at me.
“Um, would you like to come in for a glass of water? I’d like to talk to you about your mother,” I suggested, pointing towards the living room.
Neil glanced at the brightly lit living room. Surprisingly, he didn’t take up my invitation and instead went straight to the
and sat down. Seeing him, Daisy wagged its tail
His hands were beautiful, his skin delicate. His movements were incredibly graceful as he gently stroked Daisy’s white fur.
He then looked at me and asked, “Aren’t you going to ask what I’m here for?”
My thoughts were all in the living room. If someone was indeed in there, chances were they were up to no good. I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight without thoroughly searching my house.
Tonight, Russel was on the night shift and there was nobody next door. If something were to happen, I’d literally be helpless.
“What are you here for?” I asked absentmindedly, my eyes drifting towards the living room.
“Tell me W you were going to say about Karina on Hiram’s birthday.” Neil patted Daisy and let it go play. He leaned back in his chair, and crossed his long legs casually, his whole demeanor relaxed.
Was he here for this? Coming to my place twice in one day?
This surprised me because I hadn’t said a word about Karina, so logically Neil should be doubting me, not her.
“Would you believe me?” I asked, intrigued. Telling Neil privately wasn’t a bad idea.
“I’ll believe you when you tell me,” Neil replied simply, but his words were full of conviction. From the past till now, he had never blindly trusted me like this. I was caught off guard and it took me a moment to adjust.
Suddenly, there was noise from the living room again, something had fallen on the floor. The sound was faint, but I could hear it.
Neil’s expression darkened, he frowned at the living room, his first thought was, “Is Russel in there?”
Lshook my head, “No.”
“Is he really staying here tonight?” Neil didn’t believe my explanation, his words dripping with jealousy. ably don’t know the person.” My heart was hanging by a thread, my
“No, it’s not him. I probably voice tense.
Neil looked at me incredulously, his handsome face filled with anger. “A man you don’t know? Irene, what are you up to?
I shook my head again, “That’s not what I mean, anyhow, the person inside is not Russel!”
My words had barely dropped when Neil had already strode into the living room, his aura dark as he began to search around. Meanwhile, I went to secure the front door and pulled out my cell phone, ready to dial 911 at the first sign of trouble.
Neil went from the living room to the bedroom. I stayed put, guarding the two kids, too fearful to follow him in.
