Chapter 15  Even though his face didn’t match the one I remembered from that night, those eyes were unmistakable. I’d recognize them anywhere, even if they were nothing but ashes now.  He was a master of disguise. That night, he had loomed tall, around six foot one, but now he was hunched over. His face and the bits of skin showing looked so aged that you’d mistake him for an old man. The person who had ended my life was now standing here at the art exhibit, and it sent a chill down my spine, the memory of my last moments filling me with raw fear.  He was brutal, slipping up behind me without a sound, and stabbing me with such precision and indifference, as if he’d done it a thousand times before. I’d always treated people kindly. I couldn’t imagine having enemies who’d want me dead. Was he this good at hiding because he was a professional killer? But why would he show up here if he’d already killed me? Was there someone else he was after?  My first instinct was to run, but then it hit me–I was already dead. What was there to be afraid of?  hase gave a casual pat on his shoulder, avoiding direct eye contact, and tossed a careless, “It’s nothing.” Meanwhile, the man’s gaze was locked on me, cold and relentless, just like the stare that haunted me before my death. No emotion, no mercy, just ice.  Even I was already dead, the sight of him still froze me in place. Could he see me?  Just as the thought crossed my mind, I heard Chase murmur, “Derek.”  I snapped back to reality, realizing the man’s eyes weren’t on me, but rather on Derek, who was seated in a wheelchair. My tense nerves finally began to unwind.  Derek was drawn in by Chase’s voice, and the man started walking towards him. Remembering his merciless nature, a wave of unease washed over me. Was this killer planning on claiming more victims? Instinctively, I moved to shield Derek with my arms.  But the man walked past Derek without incident. Jack wheeled Derek up to Chase, and the look Derek gave Chase was so intense it seemed to unnerve him a bit.  “From what I hear, Amanda has been missing since the wedding, and yet here you are, enjoying an art gallery?”  I never expected that concern for my disappearance would come from someone unconnected to me, rather than family or a lover. “Amanda’s not a kid anymore. She can go wherever she wants. She’s always been headstrong. She’ll be back when she’s ready,” Chase replied, his nonchalant tone clashing with Derek’s serious demeanor.  “What if Amanda is actually in danger?” Derek pressed.  Chase’s composure cracked for a brief moment, but Nicole jumped in, “Derek, nothing’s happened to my sister. She’s just flown to Cloudville.”  Chase turned to her. “What did you say?”  “Chase, I just heard today from relatives in Cloudville that a month ago, she asked them to find her a place to stay.”  Yes, I had often talked about my love for Cloudville with its flower–lined paths, lush green hills, and endless snow–capped peaks. I dreamed of living there.  Half a month ago, I booked a flight to Cloudville for the day after the wedding. I planned to expose Chase and Nicole’s scandalous affair at the wedding, knowing full well it would strain the ties between our families. After exacting my revenge, I intended to leave.  Nicole went on, “I checked to confirm, and she did book a flight to Cloudville for the 15th.”