Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

Stella’s glass shattered on the floor as she stood up abruptly. Even her lips were ashen when she asked, “What… who does this fingernail belong to?”

After asking. Stella started to lose control. Throwing her coat aside, she ran towards the door, frantic with the dual fears of me being dead or, alive and suffering.

Tears streaming down my face, I opened my arms wide to stop her, “Don’t go, Stella, please don’t go.”

She’s the only one I had.

Robin, quick as lightning, caught Stella by the wrist, “Calm down… maybe, maybe it’s just a red herring by the killer, maybe she’s still alive. Don’t be rash.”

Stella collapsed to the ground, clutching at Robin’s legs and sobbing uncontrollably, “Please, please find Phoebe quickly, I’m begging you… I can do it. I can lure him out; just please hurry.”

Stella’s cries echoed my own as we both begged the police to solve the case quickly.

Around one in the morning, Dexter arrived, looking worse for wear, probably called by Robin.

“We f Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

found another victim with Phoebe’s fingernail,” Robin said with detached calm.

Dexter furrowed his brow, “So, the body isn’t her?”

Robin looked at Dexter, “Do you really think Phoebe is the type to pull off her own fingernail and place it on a corpse?”

I was curious too–had I become so unhinged in Dexter’s eyes?

Dexter clenched his fists, his voice low and tense, “She’s a lunatic…”

I watched Dexter in shock. Even now, with my nails torn off, he still didn’t believe I was dead!

“Dexter! Have you got no humanity?” I screamed at him, rushing forward to grab his collar. “You bastard!”

I slapped him, and that was something the old me would never dare to do. But it was useless; it didn’t hurt him at all.

“She could push Melody down the stairs to marry me, drug my drinks, and put rat poison in Melody’s cake… there’s nothing she can’t do.” Dexter’s eyes were bloodshot. It seemed that he was somehow losing control.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Even now, you are still slandering Phoebe! It was because you said Phoebe wasn’t missing that the police delayed the investigation until now. Don’t you know that? It’s all you!” Stella cried as she charged at him, her slap landing sharply on Dexter’s face. “If anything happens to Phoebe, you’re as good as her killer! An accomplice! A bastard!”

15:02

“You did so many disgusting things to Phoebe and I won’t call you a man!” Stella continued to lash out at Dexter.

Dexter just stood there, accepting Stella’s blows.

“Stella, why are you hitting Dexter?” Melody burst in, pushing Stella away.

I tried to protect Stella, but Melody was so forceful that Stella stumbled backwards.

I reached out to catch her, but could only watch helplessly as she fell through my hands.

Thankfully, Robin was quick to catch Stella.

“Mr. Fitzgerald, do you have any evidence for your claims?” Robin asked, frowning.

“Evidence? What evidence do you need to leave us alone? We’re about to get married, and your all can’t stand to see others happy, can you?” Melody was hysterical. Her eyes were teary as she ruffled her hair to show the police her scars. “These are the scars from when Phoebe pushed me down the stairs! And I also have the hospital records for the stomach pump! What more evidence do you want?”

Dexter held Melody tight to soothe her. “Melody, don’t be scared. I’m here.”

“Phoebe just wants me dead! She won’t stop tormenting us! When will she let go?” Melody cried. into Dexter’s chest, her performance convincing.

I was numb watching Dexter, whose eyes showed only trust for Melody. With Melody’s acting so compelling, he wouldn’t believe me.

“Officer Robin,” Dexter said, handing over an invitation, “Melody and I moved up our wedding. If

after tomorrow.” He whisked Melody

you want to catch Phoebe, come to our wedding the day

away after that.

“Dexter, if Phoebe really is dead… will you regret it?” Stella sat on the floor and asked.

Dexter stopped in his tracks and turned to Stella, “If she’s truly gone, I’ll die with her. If she’s alive and behind all this to torment Melody, I’ll see her committed. She’ll never see the light of day again!”