The next morning, I couldn't look at anyone the same. Not after the note. Not after the blood on my knee and the words burned into my brain: FUCKER. LIAR.
I waited until breakfast. The dining room felt too big, too bright, sunlight pouring through the tall windows like it was mocking me. Lily sat coloring at the far end, tongue poking out in concentration. Victor scrolled his phone, face blank, avoiding my side of the table. Elena sipped coffee, perfect as always—hair smooth, smile ready.
I cleared my throat. It came out dry, scratchy.
"I'm going back to my apartment today," I said. Tried to keep it light. Casual. "Water's fixed. I've overstayed. Time to get out of your hair."
Elena's fork froze halfway to her mouth. She lowered it slow. Deliberate. Her eyes locked on mine—soft on the surface, but something sharp glinted underneath. Like glass about to crack.
"No," she said. Flat. Blunt. No room for argument.
I blinked. "What?"
She set the fork down with a soft clink. Turned to Lily, who looked up right on cue—big eyes shiny, lower lip already poking out.
"Lily needs her aunt," Elena said, voice smooth. Warm. But it felt like ice sliding down my back. "Don't you, baby?"
Lily nodded hard. "Please stay, Aunty Lys. Please. I'll miss you too much."
My chest tightened. Throat closed. Those puppy eyes pulled at me like hooks.
Elena wasn't done. She leaned forward a little, smile widening. "Lily needs you more now. Especially since I'm taking company affairs more seriously."
I froze. "What do you mean?"
Her smile turned proud. Small. Knowing. "I convinced Victor to let me work side by side with him. I need to understand the business inside out. I am his wife, after all."
The words slammed into me. Jealousy exploded hot and ugly in my chest—burning, twisting. I'd applied for a spot at his company months ago. Begged. Poured my heart into the interview. Got a polite "no, thank you." But Elena? She just… asked? And got it? Because she wore his ring?
I forced a laugh. It came out strangled. Fake. "That's… great. Really. Congrats."
She just kept smiling. Eyes never leaving mine.
I stayed three more days.
Couldn't fight it. Lily's eyes every morning—"Aunty Lys, play with me?" Elena's quiet pressure—"Just a little longer. For her." Victor silent, gone most days, coming home late with excuses.
But the house changed.
Every shadow felt longer. Every creak louder. I checked locks four times before bed. Peered out windows into the dark garden, searching for shapes that weren't there. Started jumping at doors opening. Heart racing over nothing.
Elena was everywhere. Too close.
Bringing tea to my room unasked. "You look exhausted, little sis. Her hand lingering on my arm when she handed the cup. Fingers cool. Steady.
At meals, her touch brushing mine passing bread. Asking about my knee—"How's the cut healing?"—like she knew every detail.
Victor avoided me like I carried plague. Eyes on his plate. Quick exits. No more stolen glances. No more heat.
Nights were hell.
I barely slept. Lay rigid under the covers, staring at the ceiling fan. Waiting for bells. For notes. For footsteps outside my door.
Every sound twisted into threat. The house settling became someone breathing. Wind in trees became whispers.
I started seeing things in corners—shadows moving when I blinked. Told myself it was lack of sleep. Paranoia from the note.
But it felt real.
Like eyes on me always.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then the fourth night hit.
I woke to the sound.
Soft. Rhythmic.
Ting-ting-ting.
Bells.
My eyes snapped open. Heart already slamming against ribs like it wanted out.
Room pitch black. Moonlight thin through curtains, cutting silver across the ceiling.
And there.
Hanging from the fan.
Swaying slow. Gentle.
A massive plastic cock—grotesque, lifelike, veins bulging under shiny skin. Thick. Obscene. Bells knotted all around the base, tinkling soft with every lazy turn.
Painted on the side in thick, dripping red—like blood fresh: VICTOR
It swung toward me.
Closer.
Like it was alive.
Reaching.
My throat locked.
No air.
Then the scream tore out—raw, animal, louder than anything human. Ripped from my gut, echoing off walls.
Footsteps thundered.
Knocks—hard, desperate.
"Lys! Open the door!" Victor, voice breaking.
"Alyssa? Baby, what's wrong?" Elena, sharp worry.
I scrambled. Sheets tangled legs. Fell hard on the floor. Pain shot through my elbow. Crawled to the bed. Climbed up shaking. Stood on mattress. Reached—arms trembling violent. Grabbed it. Bells screamed louder. Jangled wild.
Yanked down. Kicked it vicious—under the bed. Deep. Hidden.
Fumbled the lock.
Door burst open.
Victor first—shirtless, hair wild, eyes frantic. "Lys—what happened?"
Elena right behind—robe clutched tight, scanning room fast. Predator eyes. She went straight to window. Yanked curtain. Stared into black garden like hunting something.
I stood shaking. Arms wrapped around myself. Breath ragged.
"Nightmare," I gasped. "Bad one. Sorry. Didn't mean—"
Victor stepped close. Hand out. "You screamed like someone was killing you—"
"It's okay," Elena cut in. Turned slow.
Her eyes met mine.
And she smiled.
Slow.
Soft.
Loving.
But wrong.
Something black flickered deep behind it. Cold. Hungry.
Skin crawled. Hairs rose on my neck.
She walked over. Squeezed my shoulder—gentle. Sisterly.
"Nightmares feel so real sometimes," she murmured. "Get rest, little sis."
Then she left. Robe whispering down hall.
Victor lingered. "Sure you're—"
"Go," I whispered.
He followed after her ,the door shuts
Silence crushed in as I paced in torment, my heartbeat fluttering
Then I dropped to my knees. Reached under bed.
Pulled it out.
VICTOR
Red paint wet.
Dripping slow onto carpet,bells sound recurring in rhythm in my head
Ting-ting-ting.
I shoved it right back, i cried without sound because someone came in while I slept.Touched my room! Left this!.
They knew and the worst part? I didn't know if they'd stop.
The next morning I didn't eat. I went upstairs.
Packed like demons chased me.
Clothes crammed. Bags zipped sloppy. Heart still pounding from bells that weren't there.
Not one more night.
Not one more breath in this house.
I slung the bags over my shoulder, looked around the bed where he took me, shower where I begged, ceiling where it hung mocking.
I walked out without saying my good byes.
The gates clanged shut behind.
But I felt it still,someone was staring, a shadow of woman was standing at the mansion watching me leave.
Bells rang in my ears and the images of the red paint dripping inside my skull.
Whoever it was, they knew I ran.
And running only made the hunt better