Chapter 5

Chapter 5

[1]

I gently massaged his temples, my voice filled with concern.

"Don't be ridiculous, it must be the weather. Look, ever since you came to my place, you've even gained some weight."

Domenic looked down and laughed.

It was true. In the five or six days since he arrived, he had put on quite a bit of weight. He looked as healthy and robust as someone living well.

"Your mom's been spoiling me with all her cooking. Lisette, you better not start judging me in the future."

I covered my mouth, teasing, "I'm not your dad, why would I judge you..."

Before I could finish, my hand was grabbed tightly. Domenic's nails dug into my skin.

"If you ever judge me for being fat, I'll never forgive you."

Domenic's sudden words didn't sound like a joke.

Looking at his fierce eyes, I was reminded of that night when he dragged me into the house, his expression cold and inexplicable, as if he had become another person.

Ah, yes, this man was indeed the murderer, Domenic.

In court, Domenic managed to get his sentence reduced because he was diagnosed with "dissociative identity disorder."

Afterwards, even he forgot. He forgot his brutal acts in that alley. He forgot how the girl he was set up with, in the prime of her life, was dismembered by him, dying in horror...

If he can't remember, I'll make sure he does.

[2]

1. Domenic woke up shivering in the middle of a hot summer night.

His face was damp, and as he raised his hand to touch it, something soft slipped through his fingers, leaving a sticky residue.

"Ah! What is this?"

It was five in the morning, and the sky was still dark. Domenic realized he was surrounded by eerie long hair. From the ceiling hung a woman's head, staring at him with a smile. The hair dangled down, moving like a living creature, writhing. The more Domenic struggled, the tighter the hair wrapped around his neck.

His face turned red from the pressure, and when he finally saw the woman's face clearly, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in fear.

"It's you! Yolanda! Don't come after me! I didn't mean to!"

His scream was as shrill as a banshee's wail.

With a click, the bedside lamp turned on.

The bright light dispelled the darkness.

I appeared by his bed. "Did you have a nightmare?"

The ceiling returned to normal, but Domenic was still touching his neck, unable to shake off the terror. When he saw me, he frantically cried out for help.

"Lisette! Help! I just dreamed of her!"

I quickly asked, "Who is she?"

Under my scrutinizing gaze, Domenic hurriedly gathered his thoughts.

"That woman who seduced me, deceived me, and framed me to go to prison!"

Seduced? Framed?

It was clearly a story concocted by Kimberly. Her precious son was always innocent, always tearfully wronged.

I couldn't help but burst into laughter, laughing so hard I clutched my sides, completely unrestrained. Domenic was startled by my unusual reaction. He swallowed nervously and reached out to touch me.

"Lisette, what's wrong with you?"

As I looked up, Yolanda's pale face was grinning right at him.

When Domenic, at thirty years old, had dinner with Yolanda, she was twenty-four and had been working for over a year.

Her smile revealed charming dimples, which Domenic found irresistible. Clutching the two hundred dollars in his hand, he invited her to a barbecue place he had been wanting to try for a long time. The lamb sizzled, the skewers were flavorful, and the mushrooms were perfectly seasoned...

For the impoverished Elliott family, this was a rare luxury. Domenic felt he was treating Yolanda with sincerity and respect.

However, the cheap plastic stool stained Yolanda's expensive dress, and the smoke ruined her delicate makeup. But she still maintained her composure.

Domenic, feeling insecure and not good with words, let her lead the conversation. The atmosphere was so good that Domenic began to daydream.

With a controlling father and an emotionally manipulative mother, he had never experienced healthy relationships.

Domenic even mustered the courage to offer to walk her home. In the alley, Yolanda confessed, "I'm sorry, but we're not suitable for each other."

"Your dad knows my dad, and I couldn't refuse to meet you. Let's split the bill or I'll treat you..."

She didn't know what went wrong, but Domenic suddenly went silent, a dark look crossing his face. The next second, he grabbed Yolanda's throat, pressing his thumb hard against her fragile windpipe.