Chapter 3

My heart skipped a beat, and my right eyelid started twitching uncontrollably.

Before I died the first time, Lucy had actually sent me the same message. Back then, I just blurted out the truth to her, totally off guard.

I replied: [My mom gave me a safe, and I have the key. She said I can only open it on my wedding night.]

Lucy blew up my phone with voice notes. [Was it packed with cash or something?]

[Damn, I'm so jealous of you!]

[But hey, since I knew about it, you gotta give me a bestie fee.]

I laughed and agreed without a second thought.

Thinking about it now, did Lucy already have murder on her mind back then?

Lucy was getting impatient when I didn't reply. She sent: [Hey, why were you ignoring me?]

Suddenly, Lucy FaceTimed me. My hands were shaking as I hit answer.

Lucy's face popped up on the screen.

I was about to scream and said, "Why are you wearing a hat?"

It was a black baseball cap, identical to the one the murderer wore.

Tears burst from my eyes, but Lucy just stared at me, completely confused, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Lucy lifted her hand and touched the brim. She said, "Is there something wrong with this hat?"

I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my skin. I replied, "You never wore hats. Why the sudden change today?"

Lucy didn't answer right away. Instead, she shot me a strange look.

I waited nervously for her response, every second stretching into eternity.

Lucy frowned and asked, "What's going on with you today?"

She took off her hat, looking a bit embarrassed, and answered, "I had to deliver some files for a client, but I didn't wash my hair last night, so I just threw on a hat.

"Seriously, what's up with you? You're acting really off today."

Lucy glanced around, then flipped the camera to show me her surroundings. Then she said, "Guess where I am? I'm in Zone A. Once I finish up here, I'll swing by and see you."

"Was your place 111 Maple Building, Block C?

I bit my lip and asked, "You know where I live?"

Lucy looked genuinely surprised and answered, "Of course I do. Didn't you tell me yourself?"

My hand holding the phone started to go numb.

Was this really just a coincidence?

Lucy was wearing that same black baseball cap and a long black coat.

Before all this, we'd already gotten into it over money.

She'd hit me up for thirty thousand grand to cover her gambling debts, and just a few days ago, she wanted to borrow another ten thousand.

When I turned her down, Lucy snapped, "Big deal, you've got some cash.

"Just wait till I'm loaded. I'll pay you back tenfold, a hundredfold!"

"Is it you?" I asked, my voice trembled.

Lucy, who'd been talking nonstop, suddenly froze. She frowned hard and asked, "What did you just say?"

I snapped again, "It's you. You're trying to kill me, aren't you?"

Lucy's eyes suddenly widened in shock, tears streaming down her face as she pointed frantically behind me.

I couldn't figure out what was happening. Just as I tried to turn around, the killer pressed a cloth hard over my mouth.

The call dropped, and it felt like the air was running out.

I was wrong again.

I only have two chances left.

I started going crazy, crossing suspects off my list one by one, and even felt the urge to call the police.

But the moment I tried to punch in those three numbers, my phone would instantly power down, like it was cursed.

It was clear now, something was keeping me trapped in this nightmare.

The only way out was to hunt down the real killer.

Wait, what if the killer wasn't one of my friends or relatives, but actually someone in my own family?