Her heart rate goes up. experiencing a sensitive response to the call.Her reflection in the glass caused him to turn quickly and put the phone in his pocket. "Hey. Did you have trouble sleeping?

Daniella shook her head. "Who was that?"

"Just a client," he said casually. "A discussion about work.

His smile didn't quite fit the look in his eyes.

Approaching her, he put his arms around her waist. "Please don't think too much."

After tensing up, her body relaxed into his hold. Everything about him, his warmth, his scent, felt so real and safe.

Her voice was a little shaky as she whispered, "I trust you."

"I understand," he said softly in response. "I like you for that reason."

His kiss her lips and head forehead, as he walked her back to her bed.

Laying there with her head on his chest, Daniella forced herself to believe him. And she wanted to.

She smiled slightly and fell into his arms, sleeping heavily on her eyelids.

Behind them, she sees the same strange triangle sign mirrored in the glass.

Alex left early the next morning. Daniella stayed behind, curled up in the sheets that smelled like him. The apartment was too quiet. Her mind was restless.

She got up and moved around, touching random things to feel less strange. On the dresser sat a small box she had never seen before. Curiosity pulled her closer. She opened it slowly.

There was a bracelet inside. Silver. Easy. At the end is a tiny heart charm.

Her chest grew tight in doubt and fear at the same time. On the wrist of one of the murder victims from the news story, she had previously seen that exact bracelet. The same small abrasion next to the charm.

She became frozen at her discovery of what she saw.

Her heart was beating fast as she glanced around. ‘Maybe it was merely a coincidence. ‘Maybe Alex purchased the identical one elsewhere. However, something inside of her shattered open, a chilly, shaking horror.

She hurriedly put the bracelet back on and turned away.

But then her eyes caught another thing, a pink keychain on the shelf, shaped like a broken heart. It looked old, cracked. Her body went stiff again.

It was the same keychain she had seen in the crime photo online.

Her mind was telling her now her boyfriend might be a partaker in something.

"No, it can't be," she took a step back.

The door opened at that moment.

Alex walked in, holding a grocery bag. His tone was cheerful. “You’re up early.”

Daniella didn’t move. “Alex… where did you get these things?”

He blinked for some seconds, setting the bag down. “What things?”

“The bracelet. The keychain.”

He laughed quietly. "You mean those? old material. Most likely, it belonged to my ex.

She gazed at him. "The two of them?"

"Yeah," he remarked casually as he approached her. "Why?"

She took a step back. "Because I came across them online." They were owned by ….. Her voice broke as she stopped. "......to the girls who lost their lives."

For half a second, he froze. Then he smiled once more, but this time it was a smile that stopped short of his eyes. “Daniella, don’t do that. Don’t start connecting things that don’t make sense.”

"Then describe it."

"There's nothing to explain," he said. "The news is the only reason you're afraid. Everything seems like a sign to you.

She gave a headshake. "Alex, I'm not dreaming of this! You own items from deceased women. You've got that tattoo, that symbol.

He took a step toward her. "Cease."

She took another step back when she heard his soothing voice.

"You no longer trust me, do you?" He inquired quietly.

"I am unsure of what to believe," she said.

He gave a small smile. "You believe I injured them?"

She was unable to respond as he looked in her eyes directly.

There was a heavy stillness between them. Then he shook his head and let out a laugh. "You truly believe that I would ever cause you harm?"

Daniella took a deep breath. "I simply... All I want is the truth.

She retreated when he reached out to touch her. His face transformed at that point. Something colder took the place of his serene grin.

"Don't go through my stuff," he replied softly. "I don't enjoy that."

Her hands shook. "I apologize. I didn't intend to.

Turning aside, he ran a hand over his hair. "You just feel scared. I'm getting it. A lot has happened to you. Taking a deep breath, he looked back at her. His voice became quieter again. " Take note, Daniella. I love being with you. Avoid wasting it on useless stuff.

At his sudden compassion, her chest tightened. His ability to calm her anger and transform her tension into remorse was constant.

I did not mean to annoy you," she added.."

With a little smile, he took her hands. Then remain. Ignore all of this. Tonight, just remain with me. I'll compensate you.

Her heart, her dumb heart, craved for his touch, but her head cried out to go.

"All right,"

With a gentle kiss on her fingertips, he added, "Good girl."

They laid together once more later that evening. Outside, the wind was screaming against the windows as the storm became worse.

With his fingers on her waist, Alex dozed off first. Daniella's thoughts were racing as she gazed into the night.

She kept thinking about the tattoo, the keychain, and the bracelet. She had overheard the phone call. Now, every fragment she had disregarded came together like shattered glass.

Tears burned in her eyes. Perhaps she was overly suspicious. Perhaps she was going crazy.

To let someone know where she was, she turned slightly and reached for her phone to text her friend Ethan. Before she could, though, she heard a slight ringing sound next to her.

Alex's phone became bright.

The screen showed a message.

Tonight, another one. Deliver the mark.