Chapter 126

Chapter

Leanne had never been comfortable around De predatory glint in his eyes, was downright unse

spoken to her, with a

She could still recall the last time he’d touched her had, and it felt like being ensnared by a viper.

But he always managed to present himself as a gentleman, making her wonder if she was misjudging him.

He was adept at toggling between innocence and sleaze, so much so it seemed almost schizophrenic.

With no hard evidence, Leanne couldn’t be completely certain he was the culprit.

Frowning, she made a point to walk past Derek White without giving him the time of day.

Unbeknownst to her, as she left, Derek’s gaze lingered on her retreating figure, his facade of decency slipping away to reveal a smirk tinged with darkness.

Curtis treated her like disposable garments, and it appeared his latest conquest had arrived sooner than anticipated.

The unnerving feeling returned, possibly heightened by the twisted greeting card she’d received. Leanne had been so on e

edge.

When her shift ended, Joy swung by to pick her up, luggage in tow, ready to crash at her. place for support.

Leanne had made it clear to her hospital colleagues that no more flowers were to b accepted. Since then, the bouquets ceased.

The calm was almost eerie.

Had Leanne not physically torn that card into pieces, she might have doubted its existence, suspecting it to be a mere figment of her overactive imagination.

be

On Thursday evening, as she and Joy were enjoying a homemade dinner, Joy’s phone rang with a crisis from work, an issue with a case that needed immediate attention. It was Joy’s case, and no one else could handle it, and her boss demanded she leave right

away.

After hanging up, Joy cursed Austin as she stuffed clothes into her suitcase, “Sending me on a red-eye train, while he’s cuddled up with his fling, and why doesn’t he drop dead of exhaustion.”

Leanne gently reminded her, “Didn’t he say he’s joining you on the trip?”

Joy conceded, “Fine, dragging his butt out of a warm bed for a last-minute trip does make. me feel a bit better. Poor thing.”

Before leaving, Joy reassured Leanne. “I told Selina to come over and Don’t worry alright? Call me if you need anything”

“Get going.” Leanne urged, glancing at the clock. “You’ll miss the trai “Damn it.” Joy dashed for the elevator, luggage in tow.

ent hurry”

Leanne returned to her meal, but as she prepared to wash up, the lights in cer apartment abruptly went out, plunging her into darkness.

Without pausing to wipe her hands, she scrambled back to the dining room, fumbled for her phone, and switched on the flashlight, finally easing the suffocating tension that had seized her throat.

A power outage?

Peering out the window, she saw lights on in the other buildings. A call to the property manager yielded a nonchalant response, “Must be a tripped breaker. The cold’s been cranking up power usage, and our wiring is old. I’ll send someone over to check it out.” The flashlight’s beam felt too weak, and the surrounding darkness loomed with unseen threats. Leanne shone the light in all directions, each minute of waiting more torturous than the last

Eventually, unable to stand it any longer, she decided to check the fuse box herself.

The hallway lights were on, which felt safer than her pitch-black apartment.

As she reached for the door, a chill ran down her spine, as if an icy serpent had slithered up her back.

On instinct, Leanne slammed the door shut. Her back was drenched with cold sweat as she stood there, clutching her phone.

She couldn’t tell if the chill was from the cold air outside or something else.

Eventually, there was a knock at the door. Leanne didn’t answer immediately but instead crept to the peephole.

The person on the other side wore a utility worker’s outfit, but his face was hidden beneath a cap.

Hello, it’s the property management. Seems like your power’s off due to a payment issue. Could you open the door so we can sort this out?”