The strangers message...

The folded paper burned in my palm. "It wasn't you." Three simple words,yet they shattered the fragile reality I had clung to for years. If I wasn't the reason my husband's had died,then who,or what was?

The rain had slowed to a drizzle,the murmurs of the funeral crowd fading as people began to leave. But I remained frozen,my heart pounding as I scanned the cemetery for the man who had given me the note. He was gone.

My fingers tightened around the damp paper. Each rational part of me told me to throw it away,to pretend this never happened. But a darker, desperate part of me wanted answers.

I turned toward the only person left standing near the grave,my best friend, Lillian.

Lillian had been by my side through each loss, unwavering in her support. She was the only one who never doubted me, never treated me like a walking omen of death.

She stepped closer,her dark eyes filled with concern. Everly,are you okay?

I swallowed hard shoving the note into my pocket. I'm fine.

Her gaze flickered to my clenched fist. Are you sure? You look like you've seen a ghost.

I forced a shaky smile. Just tired. She didn't look convinced,but she didn't push. Come on, I'll take you home.

Home or what was left of it. The house Victor and I shared felt emptier than ever. The moment I stepped inside,the silence pressed down on me. No sound of his deep laughter or music,no scent of his cologne lingering in the air. Just absence..

I dropped my coat by the door and walked into the dimly lit living room. Lillian followed,her heels clicking softly against the hardwood floor. Let me make you some tea,she offered. I nodded, sinking onto the couch as she entered into the kitchen. My hands trembling as I pulled the note from my pocket and ready it again.

"It wasn't you."

Who was that man? How did he know me? Most importantly, what did he know? A sharp knock at the door made me jump.

I hesitated before rising to answer it,my pulse quickening. For a second, I wondered if it would be him. The stranger from the funeral. But when I opened the door,it wasn't him. It was detective Marcus.

An unwelcome visitor. Marcus had been the lead investigator on Victor's case. A tall, broad-shouldered man with piecing blue eyes,he had always looked at me like he was waiting for me to slip away. He didn't believe in curses or coincidence. And he certainly didn't believe in my innocence.

Detective, I said, keeping my voice even. What can I do for you? His gaze flicked past me,as if expecting someone else. May I come in?

I hesitated. Letting the police into my house had never ended well for me. But refusing would only make me look guilty. I stepped aside. Please make it quick.

Marcus entered, his presence filling the room with quiet authority. He didn't sit. Instead,he studied me like I was a hard puzzle he hadn't yet solved.

"Victor's autopsy report has come out" he finally said. I swallowed hard. "And." He pulled a small notebook from his pocket, flipping it open. His death was ruled a heart attack.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. "Then why are you here?"

He closed the notebook with a snap. "Because something doesn't add up."

I crossed my arms. "Like what?"

He tilted his head slightly. "Like the fact that your last three husbands also died under unusual circumstances. And yet, every single time, there was no evidence of foul play."

A chill crept up my spine. Are you accusing me again?

Marcus studied me for a long moment before shaking his head. "No. Not yet."

Then what do you want?

He slipped his notebook back into his pocket. "I want to know if you've noticed anything strange lately. Anything...out of place.

I hesitated. Should I tell him about the stranger at the funeral? About the note?

Before I could decide, Lillian walked in with two mugs of tea, pausing when she saw Marcus. Her expression tightened.

"Detective Marcus,she said coolly. Did you come to harass her again?"

Marcus ignored her, keeping his gaze on me. " If you remember anything,call me." He placed a card on the coffee table and turned to leave. But before he stepped outside,he looked back at me. "Be careful,Everly,"he said. "You might not be the one causing these deaths,but someone is." Then he was gone.

Lillian exhaled sharply, I hate that guy. I barely heard her. My mind was racing.

"You might not be the one causing these deaths,but someone is." Marcus's words echoed in my head, colliding with the note from the stranger.

If I wasn't responsible....then who was? And why had they taken everything from me? I reached for the note again,my fingers tracing the words.

"Come find me when you are ready to hear the truth."

I wasn't ready. Not yet.

But I would be.

Because for the first time in years, I had hope.

Hope that the truth was out there. Hope that I wasn't alone in this. Hope that who ever was behind these deaths... could finally be stopped.

Even if it meant facing the darkest secrets of my past.