Page 35 of Dead to Me

HE KNOWS SOMEONE IS TALKING.

I typed back.

YOU ALMOST GOT ME CAUGHT.

The response came immediately.

YOU WANTED REVENGE.

Then I typed the question I should've asked from the start.

HOW DO YOU KNOW I WANT REVENGE?

Three dots appeared on the screen.

BECAUSE YOU TOLD ME

I held my breath. Another message appeared.

SIX YEARS AGO. FINISH THEM!

Milan

I deleted the message without replying. I didn’t care who sent it. I didn’t care how they knew me, what they thought they knew about my case, or why they suddenly felt guilty after six years.

I didn’t come home looking for answers. I came home to kill.

The truth only mattered because it proved what I already knew. Malcolm helped ruin me. China helped him. Warren made sure the lie stuck.

That was enough for me. I put the burner phone in the duffel and zipped it shut.

I walked into the bathroom and looked at my reflection in the mirror.

I pictured this weekend from the time I got a invite. I thought revenge would feel good when it finally came. I expected to shake. I expected my heart to race. I thought hatred would take over. Instead, I felt calmer than I had in years.

They were getting ready for a wedding that would never happen. I stood next door, deciding who should die first.

The thought made me smile. I tied my hair back and washed off my makeup. China thought tomorrow belonged to her. She had included her schedule in the absurd seventeen-page wedding itinerary she sent to everyone.

China liked to be in control. That was always one of the biggest differences between us.

I enjoyed seeing plans fall apart. I switched off the bathroom light and got into bed.

The next morning, someone knocked hard on my door. I opened my eyes and looked up at the ceiling. There was another knock.

“Milan!”

It was China, of course. I checked the clock. It was 7:16 a.m.

Her wedding day had started. I smiled and got out of bed. China knocked again.

“I know you’re in there.”

“I heard you.”

“Well, open the door.”

I put on my robe and unlocked the door. China almost stumbled into the room.