As I walked around the back of the house, I peered through the sliding door. I knew there was no security system because this neighborhood was very safe. I wouldn’t be surprised if people slept with their doors unlocked.
I look down at the ground and pick up a medium-sized rock, smashing it into the glass. The glass cracks, and I can break through it with one elbow push. I reach inside, unlock the sliding door, open it, and step inside. He should be home at any moment.
I’m hiding in the laundry room off the kitchen. He’ll enter through the front door, drop his keys, and walk into the kitchen. At least, that’s what I’m hoping for.
The front door opens, and I hear footsteps. My heart is jackhammering in my chest, and adrenaline has overtaken me. I hear his keys hit the table in the foyer, then footsteps enteringthe kitchen. Good boy. He flips on the light and opens the refrigerator. I quietly come up from behind and press the thin needle into his neck. He suddenly turns, and his eyes widen when he sees me. In an instant, he’s on the ground, unable to move.
I wave the knife in front of him.
“You’ve been a very bad boy,” I say. “Instead of telling Katherine you don’t want to see her anymore, you’re sneaking around behind her back with that whore Julia.”
His eyes look like they’re going to pop out of his head. I take pleasure in his fear.
“Katherine thinks you’re perfect, but I know the truth. You must suffer the consequences for your sins.” I raise the knife as I stand over him and then plunge it into the flesh of his abdomen—a blank canvas that will shortly consist of twenty-two stab wounds.
I’m careful not to step in any blood and risk leaving a bloody shoe print. I walk over to the sink and wash the knife off, watching the crimson liquid go down the drain. I run upstairs and into his parents’ room, opening drawers and looking for anything of value. It needs to look like a robbery gone wrong.
I find a diamond bracelet, a few pairs of diamond earrings, a Rolex, and an emerald gold ring, and stuff them into my pockets. Before I leave, I stop and stare at the lifeless body lying on the kitchen floor. Now, Katherine is free to resume her search for the perfect man.
16
KAT
Present
“Uh, what happened to the painting?”Oliver asks, walking into the living room.
“I threw it out.”
“Threw it out?” His brows furrowed. “Why?”
“Because you were right. It was creepy, and I felt like my paranoia got worse with it being here.”
“I’m happy you realized that, but that painting was very expensive. You could have donated it instead of throwing it in the trash.”
“I just wanted it out of the house as soon as possible, and it was trash day,” I say.
He walks over to the couch and presses his lips against my head. “We can find a better painting to put in its place. I’ll be in my office. I have some work to finish for a meeting tomorrow morning.”
“Okay. Oliver, wait,” I say. “Can you sit for a moment?” I pat the couch.
“Of course. What is it?” He sits beside me.
“When are you going back to Chicago?” I ask.
“In a couple of weeks. Why?”
“I’m going to put in for some time off and go with you.”
“I’m afraid you can’t do that, Kat.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s nothing but non-stop work when I'm in Chicago. I leave early in the morning and don’t return to the apartment until late. We won’t be able to have breakfast or dinner together. You’ll be miserable and then get mad when I can’t spend time with you.”
“That is not true, Oliver.” I cock my head.
“Yes, it is, darling.” His lips press against mine. “I would love nothing more than for you to go with me, but I also know how it would end.” He winks, stands up, and walks out of the living room.
