After leaving the Larson residence, I took a cab to my old home.
After my parents died in a car accident, I sold all our properties to pay off debts, except for this old house, which holds all the memories of my parents and me.
Getting out of the car, I looked at the familiar place with mixed feelings. Taking out the key hidden in the flowerpot, I stood there in silence for a long time before opening the door.
The house was quiet, filled with my photos and my parentsâ belongings. It seemed like nothing had changed, yet everything was different.
Sitting on the couch, I quietly stared at the photos on the wall. It all felt like a dream.
Suddenly, I heard a faint sound behind me. My body stiffened, and my nerves tensed up. Was someone in my house?
Afraid to turn around, I slowly reached for my phone to call the cops.
But as always, in moments of extreme panic, my hands fumbled, and even unlocking my phone screen became a struggle.
Behind me, I felt someone was staring at me, getting closer and closer.
Taking a deep breath, I abruptly stood up and turned to look behind me.
At the doorway, a man stood holding a stick, his face grim as he looked at me.
I stood frozen in place, my throat constricted with fear.
That person⦠He was tall, with black hair, a grim face, and a large burn scar on his right cheek and fingers.
His overall appearance was eerie and unsettling, just like the fear I felt before I died.
âAre you following me?â he asked in a hoarse voice.
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. It was a fear that stemmed from the depths of my soul.
âHow did you know I was here?â he frowned, tossing the stick aside and communicating with me as if he were accustomed to it.
I stared at him rigidly.
This voice⦠it was definitely the person who killed me before. Definitely! But why did he seem to know me?
Wait⦠Iâm currently assuming the identity of Stephany. Why does he recognize me?
âI didnât know you were here,â I spoke softly, taking a deep breath. âIsnât this where Stephanie used to live? Iâve been getting close to her friend, Rachel, recently, and I found out where she used to live.â
Chanter 99 212 1 The man sat on the couch. âIâm hiding out here for a few days.â
I stood still, stiffly looking at him.
âIt seems youâve done a good job impersonating her,â he sneered.
I was frozen.
What did he mean? What relationship did Stephany have with this man? Impersonating what?
âJustâ¦â My mind raced quickly, with no memories associated with this man.
âMr. Lincoln Senior had a strokeâ¦â I guessed, thinking that our cooperation was related to the Lincoln family.
âAre you pregnant with his child?â The man seemed uninterested in matters concerning the Lincoln.
family, just glaring at me darkly.
A chill ran down my spine. This man seemed capable of killing me at any moment. But why⦠was he staying in my house?
âYesâ¦â I answered softlyâ¦
The man suddenly laughed. His laughter was wild and intense.
I felt nervous, not knowing what to say.
âHe mistook you for Stephanie?â he spoke first, as if talking to himself. âHe really mistook you for Stephanie? Hahaha⦠saying he loves her so much, but this is all he can do. Just anyone can replace Stephanie in his heart!â
I stared at him in shock.
What did he mean by thistaking me for Stephanie?
âDonât think youâre smart,â he suddenly stopped laughing, his hostility intensifying. âDo you think heâll always listen to you just because youâve left traces of Stephanie and imitated her?
I didnât say anything, letting him continue.
âGet the task done quickly, and donât entertain any inappropriate thoughts,â he warned in a low voice.
1 gasped and felt a chill. What task had he given Stephany? Was it related to Steven?
Did Steven mistake Stephany for Stephanie?
Steven called me Stephie, not Stephany, but Stephanie?