Chapter 3:The first clue...

The funeral was over. The whispers had died down. But the unease in my chest remained. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the crumpled note in my hand. It wasn't you. The words felt both like a relief and a threat.

Who had written it? and why now- after all these years?

Lillian's voice cut through my thoughts. Are you going to pretend that that note means nothing?

I signed, looking up. She leaned against the doorway, arms crossed,her expression unreadable. I don't know what it means,I admitted. I don't even know the man.

She studied me for a moment before walking in and setting beside me. "Maybe it's time to stop ignoring the pattern."

I swallowed. "What pattern?"

Lillian gave me a look. "Come on, Everly. Four husbands. Four deaths. Each one called accident or natural. But how long can one person survive?

Her words sent a chill down my spine. "I told you before," I murmured. I loved them all. I never wanted them to die." She softened. "I know that. But what if someone else did?"

The idea made my stomach to turn. It was one thing to suspect that I was cursed. It was another to believe someone had planned my heartbreak, time and time again. But if that was true,who would do such a thing? And why?

The next morning, I received an unexpected visitor. Detective Marcus stood at my doorstep, his expression unreadable. I tightened my grip on the doorknob. Detective,to what do I own this pleasure? He raised a brow,we need to talk. I hesitated but stepped aside. He walked in,his presence filling the small space.

"Victor's case is closed, I said. Unless you have new evidence, I don't see why you are here.

Marcus studied me. It's not about the others.

My heart stopped, what?

He pulled out a file and placed it on my coffee table. I took another look at your husbands'cases. And somethings have been bothering me.

I forced a breath. Like what?

Marcus flipped open the file. They all died under different circumstances - one from accident,one from drowning,one from illness... but they had one thing in common.

He slid a page toward me. My hands trembled as I picked it up. A medical report. I skimmed the lines,my pulse racing. Then my eyes landed on a single phrase that sent a wave of nausea through me.

"Traces of digitalis detected in the system."

I looked up, what is this?

Marcus leaned forward. Digitalis is a heart medication. In high doses,it can be fatal. And all four of your husbands had it in their bloodstream.

I shook my head. That doesn't make sense. None of them had heart condition.

Marcus held my gaze. "Exactly."

My mind reeld, taking me back to the night my first husband, Daniel, died in a plane clash. Then there was Adam. He had been so full of life, laughing just hours before he fell from our apartment balcony. Another heart failure.

And John. A tragic accident they said. He drowned in the pool at our vacation home. But he had been an excellent swimmer....

Victor was the last. By then,the whispers had already started. She's caused. She's dangerous. But now, as I sat across from Marcus,a darker thought gripped me. What if they were murdered? What if someone had been poisoning them all along.

After Marcus left, I sat in silence, gripping the report so tightly my fingers ached.

Lillian walked in,her eyes scanning my face. "What happened?"

I handed her the paper. She read it quickly,then looked up,her face pale. "This..."she whispered. "This means.." I know what it means. My voice was hoarse. "Someone's been killing them." Lillian's expression hardened. "Who would do this? And why?" I swallowed. That's what I need to find out.

Lillian hesitated. "Everly...you don't think Marcus is suspecting you,do you?

A lump formed in my throat. I don't know. But if he does,I need to prove that am not the one behind this.

That night,as I lay in bed,my phone buzzed. Unknown number. I hesitated before answering.

"Hello?"

Silence. Then a voice - low and distorted.

"You're asking the wrong questions, Everly."

A chill shot down my spine. "Who is this?"

No response.

I sat up,my pulse hammering. "What do you mean? Who are you?"

A click. The line went off.

I stared at my phone,my heart pounding. Someone was watching me. And they didn't want me digging any deeper. But it was too late.

I wasn't stopping until I uncovered the truth.

No matter how dangerous it got...