Chapter 8


    Chapter 8


    During the Fourth of July, car sales surged, keeping Valerie at the dealership untilte into the night


    After herst customer left, she found herself alone, recalling that a typhoon had hit Kranson City


    that day. The winds had started at noon, and now a light rain fell


    Valerie locked up the dealership and reached for her scooter keys, intending to ride home. But then


    she hesitated, remembering her pregnancy Reluctantly, she decided against it, concerned for the


    baby’s safety if the scooter slipped.


    She pulled out her phone and called for a ride, the first time in a long while. As she waited curbside,


    her phone rang. It was Katherine,


    “Valerie, it’s raining out. Let my boyfriend drive you home?” Katherine offered, sounding worried.


    “No need to bother. I’ve got a cabing” Valerie replied.


    “Okay then. But seriously, Valerie, don’t be shy. My boyfriend is grateful for how you look after me;


    he’s eager to thank you in person,” Katherine


    insisted.


    Despite their brief acquaintance, Katherine’s cheerfulness and warmth were endearing. Valerie


    smiled. “You’ve never mentioned a boyfriend before


    Katherine burst intoughter. “Well, I’m 99 already, about time I had onel–You’re 25, right? You’re


    gorgeous, howe you never mention any guys? Maybe I should hook you up.”


    As they spoke, a ck sedan pulled up and shed its light. Valerie quickly stashed her umbre


    and hopped in the back.


    On the phone, Katherine kept pressing, “Valerie, we can’t spend our lives just working. We gotta


    have some fun! So, spill it. What kind of guy are you into?”


    Halfughing, half–exasperated, Valerie joked, “Alright, fine, he’d better be a freaking millionaire at


    least!”


    But she didn’t notice the driver tense up slightly at herment.


    After finally shaking off Katherine, Valerie hung up, only to find the car hadn’t moved from its spol.


    Valerie realized she hadn’t given her name and quickly said, “Sorry, I’m Valerie.”


    Usually, when booking a ride, one just enters the destination on the app, gets in the car, and


    confirms the name and where they’re headed. She had been distracted by her phone call and


    forget.


    Valerie apologized, but even after giving her name, the driver didn’t budge.


    The dim lights barely illuminated the broad back of the man facing away from her, sending a shiver


    down her spine.


    Rainy night, a strang


    the mai


    ?a stranger, a pregnant woman–thee elements immediately put Valerie on high alert, sensing


    something off abou


    Hernerves frayed, she discreetly took out her phone and started recording, feigning nonchnce as


    she attempted small talk. “The rain is reallying down tonight, huh? By the way, what’s your


    name?*


    Whatever his intentions, she now had a recording. It was evidence for aint or, if necessary,


    to contact the police.


    Unfortunately, she had no self–defense tools. If things turned sour, she nned to tows her wallet


    as a distraction and make a run for it.


    Amidst her internal turmoil, Valerie waspletely unprepared when the man in front suddenly


    turned to face her


    The face was both unfamiliar and eerily familiar, his eyes cold and threatening.


    Under the night sky, she felt like a little rabbit, helplessly staring down a menacing wolf, frozen in


    her seat.


    The wolf–like figure smirked slightly, his lips parting to reveal sharp, predatory teeth, and said


    chillingly, “Matthew Grant, your husband.”


    S


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