Chapter 5

My hand, still wrapped around Chloe's throat, began to shake uncontrollably.

Her laughter grew louder and sharper, piercing straight into my skull.

"Hehe... Sweetheart, you’re even more terrified now."

"But what are you afraid of? You promised to marry me, to be with me forever. How could you bring your little mistress into our home right in front of my face?"

She raised her icy hand and easily broke my grip.

Her fingernails grazed my cheek, slowly tracing down to my neck. The sheer terror paralyzed me; I was like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

I used every bit of energy in my lungs to squeeze out a raspy scream. "Get out! Get the fuck away from me!"

"You're not real!"

"Chloe, I'm not afraid of you! I'm not!"

In my panic, I didn't notice Hailey approaching.

Only when her shaking arms wrapped around me did I realize she was there.

"Ethan, what's wrong with you? Who are you talking to?"

I couldn't answer.

Chloe was standing right in front of her, yet Hailey couldn't see a thing, even as Chloe leaned in and blew cold air onto my neck.

At that moment, fear overcame everything. I shoved Hailey away. "Go! Get out of here!"

My concern for Hailey temporarily overpowered my fear.

No matter what, I couldn't let Hailey get hurt.

But my action enraged Chloe. She suddenly grabbed my throat, her voice turning wild and malicious. "You care about this little bitch that much?!"

"I gave you everything! I sacrificed my body, my dignity, and you threw me away for this whore!"

"Die!"

"Just die!—"

Her sharp nails sunk into the flesh of my neck. The pain and terror overwhelmed me, and my vision went black.

When I opened my eyes, it was morning.

I was lying in my own bed, sunlight streaming through the window.

Hailey, her eyes red from crying, was sitting beside me. Seeing me wake up, she threw herself into my arms, sobbing. "Ethan, you scared me to death!"

"Last night, you started choking yourself and then just collapsed."

"What is happening to you..."

Dazed, I touched my neck. My fingers came away stained with dried blood.

Marcus could have been lying to me, but Hailey would never lie to me.

"Hailey."

"Do you... do you know any spiritual mediums? Anyone who deals with the occult?"