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.”

would be able to leave Sea City forever, escape this place as well

up, I left

accident, the house was sold, and the death compensation was gone to debts. Apart from the

where home was anymore.

sit down, leaning against the wall and falling back

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

looked around; the alley was deserted.

noticed two plastic–wrapped muffins beside me.

somewhat resigned. A kind soul must have mistaken me for

Homeless?

about right.

my house, eat my food, and use

no difference.

and placed it with the

the kind soul returned, they

around at a rustling noise to see a tall, lean figure in a hoodie disappear around the corner.

it much thought, I walked straight out of the

I returned to the Fitzgerald mansion, Dexter was there.

Phoebe? She hasn’t come back? She didn’t come home all night,” Hailey asked. worry etching

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

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

The man says his name is Ryder, your senior,” the housekeeper informed

moment,