Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

Chapter 13

That night. I didn’t go home. I curled up on a hospital bench to sleep through the night.

The next day when I woke up, I was burning up with a fever.

My phone was silent the whole night; Dexter didn’t call even once.

“Ryder…” I called him from the bench. “About that study abroad thing. I’ve made up my mind.”

“Phoebe, do you have a cold?” Ryder’s voice came through, laced with concern.

“Yeah, got caught in the rain yesterday. Feeling a bit under the weather today.”

“Where are you? I’ll drop off some cold medicine,” Ryder was worried.

“If I hand in the application form today, how soon can I leave the country?” I asked with a sense of urgency in my voice.

At that time, I had a premonition that I might not survive if I didn’t leave.

I wanted to live, to get as far away from Dexter as possible.

As long as I left, it would all be over.

“If you apply now, you can get an acceptance letter in two months. I’ll ask the professor to expedite it. Once you get the notice, I’ll buy your plane ticket,” Ryder said, his voice laced with concern. “Is the cold serious? Should I come get you?”

“No need, Ryder… I’m at the hospital. Thank you.”

to leave Sea City forever, escape

hanging up, I left the hospital.

unsure where to go. My parents had died in a car accident, the house was sold, and the death compensation was gone to debts. Apart from

where home

I found a corner to sit down, leaning against

I slept, but when I woke up, I found a jacket covering me. Although worn. it was clearly washed

looked around; the alley was

up, I noticed two plastic–wrapped muffins beside

bitterly, feeling somewhat resigned. A kind soul must have mistaken me for

Homeless?

seemed about right.

house, eat my food, and use my stuff. So, what’s the difference between you and a

no difference.

it with the

the kind soul returned, they would probably take it back.

the wall and took a few steps, then turned around at a rustling noise

giving it much thought, I walked straight out of the alley and hailed a cab.

to the Fitzgerald mansion, Dexter was there.

She didn’t come home all night,” Hailey asked. worry etching her features.

an adult; she can’t be dead, can she?” Dexter

stood outside the door, watching Dexter’s impatient demeanor, and

the door for you. The man says his name is Ryder, your senior,” the housekeeper informed me as I

a moment, then ran outside.