MARY_OMONOWA

Modern dating is already a minefield, but nothing could have prepared Ellie for falling into a twisted love triangle with a ghost. When her seemingly perfect boyfriend, Ben, starts mumbling secrets to thin air and even forgets their anniversary, Ellie knows something is horribly off. Her worst fears come crashing down when she discovers that Victoria—Ben’s dashing, dead ex—is back from the grave, haunting him with a toxic mix of unresolved passion and vengeful unfinished business.

Determined not to lose the man she loves, Ellie embarks on a wild, chaotic journey to outwit this lovesick specter. As she digs deeper into Victoria’s murky past, Ellie uncovers a shocking truth: the ghost’s jealousy is only part of the nightmare. Victoria isn’t just stalking Ben—she’s trapped in an eternal limbo, doomed to suffer unless someone frees her from her own bitter chains. And now, Ellie must face the impossible challenge of saving not just her relationship, but a tortured soul from beyond the grave.

In this surreal battle where romance collides with the supernatural and dark humor, Ellie is forced to ask the unthinkable: Can love really transcend death, or is she doomed to become nothing more than an awkward, unwitting third wheel in a paranormal romance that defies all natural laws?

The ghost who stole my man

The restaurant had been Ellie's idea. A dimly lit, candle-flickering escape from reality, somewhere she could pretend—just for one night—that she and Ben were normal again. That their relationship wasn't infested with the lingering presence of his dead ex-girlfriend.

But as she sat across from him, swirling her wine in its glass, she could feel it.

Ben was trying. She could tell. His smile was softer than it had been in days, his fingers brushing against hers as if testing the waters of her affection. But Ellie wasn't stupid.

She took a slow sip of her wine, her fingers tightening around the stem of the glass. "This is nice, right?" she murmured, forcing a smile. "Us. A normal night."

Ben nodded. "Yeah, it is." His voice was careful. Almost hesitant.

But then the lights flickered.

A soft breeze coiled around her neck like unseen fingers, and Ellie froze.

Ben stiffened. "Ellie—"

The candle at the center of their table flared, the flame stretching unnaturally high before snuffing out completely.

Ellie's pulse spiked. "No. No, not tonight." She gritted her teeth, her fingers digging into the table. "Victoria, stay the hell out of this."*

A soft, mocking laugh slithered through the room.

The air around them shifted. The shadows curled along the floor, slithering toward their table like something alive.

Ben exhaled sharply, his hand reaching for Ellie's. "We should go."*

"No." Ellie yanked her hand back. "I won't let her ruin this."

A whisper brushed against her ear, sending ice through her veins.

"He doesn't even want you here."*

Her chair scraped against the floor as she stood, her heart hammering against her ribs. "Show yourself, you coward."*

The whisper came again, this time behind her.

"You really think he'll ever love you like he loved me?"

Ellie whirled around, but there was nothing there.

Ben was on his feet now too, his face pale, his hands clenched into fists. "Victoria, stop this!"*

The chandelier above them shook. The other patrons in the restaurant were oblivious, their conversations continuing as if nothing was happening.

Ellie turned back to Ben, her throat tight. "Tell me, Ben."* Her voice was sharp, almost dangerous. "Did you really want this date? Or was it just guilt?"

Ben swallowed, his gaze flickering with something she couldn't quite read. "Ellie, I love you—"

The glasses on the table shattered.

And then, right there, in the reflection of the broken glass—she saw her.

Standing behind Ben, her face inches from his.

Ellie's breath hitched, her stomach twisting.

Chapter 28: Haunted House Date Night