Chapter 3 No Matter What Happens

Jason's harassment escalated quickly. At first, it started with the text messages. Then came the packages—dead and bloodied rats, shredded old photos from my acting days, and even replicas of my underwear… I felt like a rabbit trapped by a python, finding it harder and harder to breathe. But I didn't dare go to the police. Jason held the "evidence" he had fabricated and used to frame me back then. If that material ever came to light, Cedric's career would be over. A forensic doctor needed to undergo a political background check. His family members couldn't have any kind of stains to their name. I couldn't drag Cedric down. He was an honest man who lived in his clean and sterile world, whereas I was someone who had wallowed in the mud. I had no right to dirty him. … On Friday, a storm was raging. Cedric had to work overtime at the city's police department, as there was supposedly a tricky dismemberment case. Before leaving, he reminded me while straightening his tie, "Lock the doors and windows tonight." Today, he was wearing a dark gray trench coat over a crisp dress shirt that had been buttoned all the way to the top. It made him look disciplined and cold. "Cedric," I called out to him. When he turned back, I saw that a light fog had formed on his gold-rimmed glasses. "What is it?" he asked. I opened my mouth as my plea for help rolled on the tip of my tongue. But in the end, I only said, "Bring an umbrella, and come back early." Cedric stared at me for a moment. Suddenly, he reached out and brushed the corner of my eye with his slightly cool fingertip. "Emily Sanders." He rarely ever called me by my full name. "No matter what happens, I'll be here," he said softly. I was stunned. Before I could react, he had already opened the door and left. The moment the door closed, the walls I had put up almost came crumbling down. He would be here? What could he even do? He was just a white-collar worker who handled scalpels. What could he possibly do against a madman like Jason, who had strength, influence, and a gang of thugs?