Chapter 4

Having escaped the apartment, I didn't even dare to wait for the elevator. I flew down eighteen flights of stairs, ran out to the street, and flagged down a taxi, yelling my parents' address.

Without physical evidence of Eleanor or Julian trying to murder me, calling the police would sound like paranoid delusions.

My only option was to hide at my parents' house nearby, catch my breath, and convince them to break off my engagement.

When Julian and I got engaged, my parents were worried he might mistreat me down the road. They had insisted on an old-school trial arrangement:

hold the wedding ceremony first, but wait a full year before filing the legal marriage certificate at city hall.

Who could have guessed that on the very night of the ceremony, I’d be thrown into a literal death loop?

Suffocated by terror and regret, the taxi finally pulled up to my parents' suburban house. I threw cash at the driver, bolted to the porch, and looked over my shoulder.

Seeing no sign of Eleanor or Julian, I let out a ragged breath and hammered on the front door.

The doorbell chimed three times before the door swung open, revealing the familiar, loving faces of my mom and dad.

All the terror and betrayal burst out of me. I collapsed into their arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

My parents didn't know what had happened, but they wrapped me in a tight embrace, murmuring frantic comforts.

"Vivian! Sweetie, what happened? Did Julian hurt you? Tell us! Your father and I will go over there right now and tear him apart!"

"Don't cry, baby. Talk to Mom. Why are you running home in your wedding dress in the middle of the night? Where is Julian?"

I opened my mouth, choking on my words, not knowing where to begin.

Seeing my dad grabbing his coat, looking ready to drive over and beat Julian to a pulp, I gathered my thoughts. I decided to leave out the impossible time-loop resets and told them everything else.

To make them understand the gravity of the danger, I clutched my mother’s arm, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Dad, Mom, Julian and his mother are insane. There’s something wrong with those dumplings.”

“They were trying to force-feed me, even when I was vomiting blood! I swear, if I had eaten that food, you would never have seen me alive again!"

My parents didn't dismiss my story as bridal jitters. Instead, their faces filled with heartbreak as they held me close.

"You poor thing," my mom murmured softly, stroking my hair. "Go up to your room and get some sleep, Vivian. Tomorrow morning, we’ll officially break everything off with the Millers."

Feeling a surge of warmth and safety, I nodded, took a quick shower, and collapsed into my childhood bed, completely drained.

Just as I thought the nightmare was finally over, the grandfather clock in the hallway struck close to midnight.

The doorbell rang.

Groggy and on edge, I crept out of my room and peered over the banister. My parents were opening the front door.

Julian and Eleanor were standing on the porch.

All the blood drained from my face. In Eleanor’s hands was that same porcelain plate of colorful dumplings.

My parents initially looked furious. Dad raised a finger, opening his mouth to curse them out.

But the moment their eyes landed on that plate, both of my parents froze.

In the next second, their expressions turned blank. They stepped aside, opening the door wide, and guided Julian and Eleanor straight into the living room toward the stairs.

Then, all four of them spoke in unison, their voices flat and robotic:

"Vivian, it’s getting late. It’s time to choose. If you don't pick now, the auspicious hour will pass..."

Staring at the four figures advancing toward me step by step, I stumbled backward, pure horror constricting my throat.

Trapped against the wall with nowhere left to run, I watched Eleanor’s lips curl into that familiar, demonic smile.

"You can't run from this, Vivian. Hurry now. Pick one, and I’ll feed it to you..."

I clamped a trembling hand over my mouth. Just then, my gaze accidentally brushed against Eleanor’s coat pocket, and my mind fired on all cylinders.

I suddenly realized which color wouldn't kill me!