Chapter 7

Andrew's long fingers tapped lightly on the papers.

He looked at me, detached and aloof, but the hatred in his eyes was barely hidden. "So, Ms. Lynn, what's more important to you, money or your life?"

A tight lump formed in my throat, making it hard to catch my breath.

I used to be convinced that everyone else might push me to the brink, while Andrew would never do that.

But nothing was truly impossible in our lives.

Rain pattered against the windows.

After a long pause, I stood up. "Sure, money is more important."

My days were numbered anyway. Whenever I died, it wouldn't make any difference. But with that money, maybe Emily could live to a ripe old age.

I walked toward the bathroom.

Andrew let out a cold laugh behind me. "Let's see if you can still say that after ten minutes."

Once I stepped inside, the door closed behind me. That suffocating darkness swallowed me again.

The faucet wasn't fully shut, and I could hear the drip of water.

I huddled in the corner and felt warmth slowly draining from my body.

Everything pressed in on me: ceaseless drips, the endless darkness, soft rustling, and the snake flicking its tongue.

My spirit was pulled back to that night, pierced by countless tiny stabs deep within. Shudders racked my frame, and my stomach churned.

The scene shifted, and the door to the utility room swung open.

Sunlight from the early morning poured in, and in that light stood a boy, his figure outlined by the shadows.

"Olivia," he called out my name again and again.

But this time, I could never hear that. Only the steady drip of water went on and on.

I stared into the endless blackness, and it loomed like a huge maw looking back at me. The hissing monster lunged forward and ripped my throat out.

I watched blood gush out, drop after drop, hitting the floor. My mind went fuzzy, and it felt like my soul was slipping away into nothingness.

I curled up in the corner. Cold sweat oozed all over me, coating my body in that suffocating, cloying dampness.

Time stretched on forever. I even thought I was dying.

The door suddenly swung open, and a flood of light spilled into the darkness.

It felt like that moment years ago, when the utility room door was pushed open. But this time, it wasn't the same.

Andrew stood outside the bathroom door. He looked at me, his gaze cold.

I thought maybe the monster had ripped open my neck, and my vision went red with blood. So I found his eyes bloodshot, too.

Andrew's voice was icy as he told me, "Ten minutes are up."

I nodded and tried to stand up.

300 thousand dollars would be enough for Emily to be set for life.

For whatever time I have left, I wouldn't have to crash in haunted houses or take abuse and mockery during livestreams.

I could spend the remaining little time by Emily's side. That was great.

I tried several times but couldn't get to my feet, so I had to stay seated a while longer.

Andrew walked slowly toward me, stopped right in front, and crouched down.

He spoke again, amusement lacing his voice, as if he were watching some fool. "Oh, by the way, there is something I forgot to tell you.

"I bought this house yesterday. Looks like you won't be getting that commission."

He kept grinning, and his features twisted into something hideous in my eyes, like the monster that had torn into my neck.

I asked, "What?"

Andrew slowly continued, "We had a deal. Ten minutes in there, and I'd buy the place.

"I bought it yesterday, so I didn't break my word, right?

"Too bad for you, though. No commission this time.

"Guess risking your life doesn't pay off.

"It's like when you left me for Ethan. Life hasn't turned out all that great for you, huh?"

I stared at him, saying nothing.

Andrew reached out, his thumb tracing along my cheek.

Maybe I had cried. His finger came away wet.

He looked at me with disgust, clicking his tongue. "Have you looked in the mirror these past few years?

"Have you seen what you've become after you left me? So haggard and ugly now."

A crisp slap echoed against his face all of a sudden.

The moment the sound hit the air, I barely realized that I'd slapped him.

The vengeful, satisfied look on Andrew's face froze instantly.

I felt like I'd become a monster too. Suddenly, I wanted to sink my fingers into his throat and tear into his neck.

It was like my body wasn't mine anymore. Hoarse huffs came out of my chest.