Chapter 3 He Wants Me Dead

• That day, I passed out from the pain.
• On the sixth day before the incident, I woke up to daylight.
• After the rain, the sun was shining brightly. I struggled to get up from the floor, the blood between my legs already dried.
• "Marcus, I'm so scared. What do we do? What do we do?" From the living room, I heard Bella's crying. She was trembling, saying she was being stalked by the killer.
• She was terrified of dying.
• "Marcus, we checked the surveillance. Bella really is being followed. Should we call the police?"
• "No ... Marcus, don't call the police. This killer is ruthless, targeting young women. The police have found six dead bodies but haven't caught him. If we provoke him ... "
• Bella shook her head in fear, refusing to report it to the police.
• "Bella, don't be afraid," Marcus said, holding Bella and comforting her gently.
• He wasn't incapable of being gentle, he just never showed me any of it.
• I stood there, feeling awkward and stiff, unsure whether to stay or leave.
• "Bella, what were you wearing yesterday when you walked down Hardy Lane?" Marcus's good friend, Jose Jenkins, asked.
• "A red dress," Bella replied, glancing at me. "Maddy ... "
• I said nothing, turning my gaze away as my legs trembled. I headed to the kitchen, hoping to find something to eat.
• "Marcus, I have an idea to lure out the killer. We can catch him first and then call the police to avoid any chance of him retaliating against Bella," Jose suggested.
• Marcus nodded. "Let's hear it."
• "We can find a woman to wear Bella's dress and walk down Hardy Lane at night to draw the killer out. There are cameras everywhere, and we'll be watching. Nothing will happen," Jose explained.
• Marcus frowned. "What kind of stupid idea is that? Why don't you send your girlfriend?"
• Bella looked at me again and spoke softly, "Maddy, you don't look well. Are you okay?"
• "Why do you care about her? She almost got you killed, and you still worry about her," Marcus said, holding Bella tightly with annoyance.
• My hand froze while pouring hot water, and a wave of pain spread through my chest.
• "Let her do it! She's right here! She almost killed Bella, she owes Bella, let her go and make up for it!
• "Yeah! Let Madeline go. She and Bella look somewhat alike. She can do it!"
• I looked at Marcus in panic, hoping to hear him refuse.
• He knew I was afraid of the dark, how could he send me to such a deserted place at night ...
• Marcus hesitated for a moment, then looked at me coldly before speaking, "You owe Bella, and you must repay it."
• His words felt like they were pushing me into an abyss.
• My fingers went numb, and I couldn't hold the cup filled with hot water. It spilled all over the back of my hand.
• The scalding water didn't even register, it was as if I had lost all sensation.
• Ten years, I spent ten years trying to warm this man's heart.
• But Bella could win it effortlessly.
• "I won't go ... " I refused. I couldn't risk my life like that.
• "Marcus, don't force Maddy ... " Bella's eyes filled with tears. "Maddy didn't mean to push me down the stairs."
• "Don't speak for her!"
• Marcus suddenly snapped, making Bella flinch.
• He stood up and walked toward me.
• I shook my head in fear. "Marcus, I'm not going!"
• "You don't have a choice!" Marcus was determined to send me.
• "Our people will be watching. We won't let you die," Marcus said, as if he was assuring me.
• I hung my head, my tears burning hot against my eyes.
• "Repay what you owe Bella, and I'll consider you reformed. I won't go against you anymore," he said like he was offering me a deal.
• Against my better judgment, I believed him. "Will you really ... guarantee my safety?"
• "Of course," Marcus replied impatiently.
• "Marcus, I don't owe Bella anything. But if we catch the killer, will you promise me one thing?" I looked at Marcus with despair.
• I wasn't bargaining, I had something important to tell him.
• "Don't push your luck," Marcus snapped.
• I lowered my head, saying nothing more.
• Living in the Flynn Residence, I had always been dependent on them. I loved him, but I also feared him.
• "Fine ... I'll go," I agreed. "Consider it repayment for saving me back then."
• I entrusted my life to Marcus.
• Once this was over, I would ask to break off our engagement and give him his freedom. I would leave the country and never return to the Flynn family ...