Chapter 28  I couldn’t quite grasp why he was looking at the bracelet like that. The next thing I knew I was clasped around his wrist, feeling his warmth seep into me. It was Chase who had bought me. Was this really fate? Even in death, I couldn’t escape him.  As I stared blankly at the bustling crowd, a nagging thought gnawed at me. Would the truth of my death forever remain hidden in the shadows? I was determined not to let that happent  “One million!” Nicole’s voice snapped me back to reality. I glanced toward the stage, where a high–definition screen displayed a book with an ancient script. But there was something off about the material–it didn’t quite look like paper. It had a faint shimmer, almost like… human skin.  Human skin! I remembered the man’s chilling words about skinning. Could he have turned my skin into a book?  Driven by this horrifying thought, I drifted out from the bracelet and, with trembling steps, moved towards the book. Sure enough, my soul slipped right in! This was my skin!  Feried, but no tears came. I was shattered. Who’s my enemy? That man was so ruthless, not even sparing my corpse  When Nicole showed interest in the book, Chase upped his bid. Even with a blessing, not many dared to compete because it was made of human skin. It went for two million in the end.  After settling the payment, a servant brought the human skin book to Chase. My skin was polished and treated, looking smooth as silk. The ancient script seemed almost sacred. But Chase frowned, unease written all over his face.  “Nicole, this book is made of human skin. A blessing can’t change what it is. I think it’s got a bad vibe. We should donate it,” he suggested.  Nicole just shrugged it off with a carefree smile. “Relax, Chase. Human skin books are usually made from the skin of virtuous doners and blessed in holy light. It’ll bring health and happiness. Grandma will love it.”  Grandma? Nicole knew Grandma was the one who loved me most, and yet she wanted to give her a book made from my skin. I went wild, lunging at Nicole. “Nicole, why wasn’t it you who died?”  But my hands passed right through her, and she didn’t feel a thing. Her eyes, however, held a mocking glint. She knew I was dead all along!  As the auction wrapped up, the sky was alive with swirling snowflakes. I stood beneath the vast sky, shouting in anger, “Why is this happening to me!”  After living a kind life, why was I facing such misery while wicked people walked free? Why couldn’t I turn into a vengeful spirit and make them pay?  Perhaps my resentment was too strong because the wind grew colder, howling fiercely.  “It’s freezing,” Nicole muttered, snuggling into Chase’s arms.  Chase pushed her away gently. “Nicole, people might see us!”  She stamped her foot. “But I’m really cold.”  Unable to let her freeze, Chase took off his coat and wrapped it around her, saying patiently, “The driver will be here soon.”  After getting into the car, Nicole teased, “Tomorrow’s Grandma’s birthday; make sure you’re there early!”  “Yeah, yeah. Drive safe,” he replied.  Once Nicole was gone, Chase climbed into the car.  “Mr. Reyes, are you heading back to the Reyes family estate, or…?”  Chase rubbed his tired brow. “To my place. Amanda should be back by now.”