âWatch your steps.â It was as if Rachel was not really here with me when we walked. She nearly banged into the pillar again.
I reach out instinctively to grab her wrist, pulling her to the inner side. âYou walk inside.â
Rachel was stunned for a moment. Perhaps, she saw a little of Stephanie in me.
âWho are youâ¦â She finally whispered after a moment.
I just chuckled and said, âShe was never gone.
Rachelâs eyes reddened, and she looked away, walking toward the residential area.
Jack was hiding here.
âWhat are your plans after graduation? Are you going to work in a hospital?â I casually asked, wanting to know if she would follow her own life path.
We once set goals together. I said I wanted to study abroad for a while, and she said she wanted to continue her education after completing her bachelorâs and masterâs degrees, pursue a PhD, study abroad, and then return to our hometown together.
She would become a doctor dedicated to saving lives, and I would work as a secretary for others.
We planned to earn money happily together, spend it together, travel together, buy a house together, and envision the future together.
âI minored in forensic medicine. After graduation, I will work as a forensic pathologist,â she said earnestly, looking at me.
I stood there stunned, feeling somewhat shocked. âWhy? Didnât we agree that you would become a doctorâ¦â
Why did she change her dream?
âHmphâ¦â Rachel sneered sarcastically. âSheâs already left me behind, why should I fulfill any promises? I want to be a forensic pathologist, I want to catch that murderer and I wonât let any bad people get away.â
I lowered my head, remaining silent for a long time. âRach, this is very dangerousâ¦â
I just hoped she would be safe and sound, and find someone who loved her and spend the rest of her life together.
âThis is my business, it has nothing to do with you,â she snorted coldly, striding quickly toward Jackâs place.
When we arrived, Michael was there too.
He got out of the car, looking very upset, and walked angrily into the elevator. When he was up the stairs, he kicked the door.
Rachel and I hid outside the door, watching Michael causing trouble for Jack.
Jack was probably still asleep. Now the door was kicked open, and he grumbled impatiently. âWhoâs there? Canât you let me sleep!â
The door opened, and Michael walked in with a cold face.
Jack was still in bed with his upper body bare, and his face was pale with fear.
He nervously clutched the blanket, stuttering as he spoke, âMike⦠Mike, why are you here?â
âIâve been looking for you for a long time,â Michael said calmly, walking to the bedside and glancing around the room. âYouâre hiding here, sleeping so soundly.â
Jack was terrified, stammering as he spoke, âMike⦠I, I⦠my phone broke these past two days, I havenât had a chance to replace it, Iâ¦â
Before Jack could finish his sentence, Michael had already grabbed him by the collar. âWhat about the video? Arenât you going to explain that to me?â
âItâs not⦠I swear, there was a woman who looked exactly like Stephanie. I was scared so I babbled nonsense out of fear. Mike, you have to trust me! Someone obviously set me up, they even recorded a video,â Jack said, clearly feeling guilty and scared.
âJack, you chose to hide the fact that you found Stephanie pleading for help in the car at first. Iâve already given you one chance. Are you sure you want me to resort to violence again before youâre willing to speak?â Michaelâs anger was heavy, as if he could really harm Jack.
Jack trembled in fear. âMike⦠After Stephanie died, you went a little insane. Please⦠donât do thisâ¦
Iâm your cousin brother, you canâtâ¦â
âAh!â With a scream, Michael pressed Jackâs head and smashed it against the bedside table. In an instant, blood was all over his nose and mouth.
Rachel and I were both startled, hiding behind the door and not daring to enter.
Michael⦠Why was he acting like a madman?
I admit, Iâd seen Michael lose control after drinking, but he was never so crazy regarding anything about me.
âMike⦠I was wrong, Iâll talkâ¦â Jack cried and begged for mercy.