Chapter 1204
He marched up to the house, evidence in hand and confidence rolling off him in waves. Today, Zane was sure he could finally redeem himself in Elysia’s eyes. Maybe he’d even get to bring Winona home like he’d promised.
But then Sarah showed up out of nowhere-and smashed every hope to pieces.
Now things were officially spiraling.
After dropping Ridley off at the office (and suffering through yet another one of his drawn-out lectures), Zane didn’t waste a second. He drove straight to the psychiatric facility.
He needed answers. Who let Sarah out? And, more importantly, who gave her those photos?
But the doctors and nurses there had no idea where Sarah got the pictures. The security footage showed nothing unusual either.
Hours slipped by. Zane ran in circles, getting nowhere.
Next, he headed to the hospital to confront Sarah herself-maybe warn her, make sure she stopped spreading her insane stories.
Sarah might be crazy, but that didn’t mean her threats weren’t real. Today, Elysia and the Newsom family already seemed to have him in their crosshairs.
But at the hospital, the police stopped him cold. No matter what he said, they refused to let him see Sarah.
By the time Zane finally dragged himself home, it was pitch dark outside. He was exhausted, pissed off, and empty-handed.
The moment he stepped inside-still in his shoes-a strange smell hit him hard. Like something was burning.
Zane frowned and followed the scent into the living room.
What he saw made his blood run cold.
Right in the middle of the spotless living room, a pile of burnt ash sat on the hardwood floor. It looked like someone had just finished burning paper-like some weird old ritual or a makeshift memorial, the kind you’d expect to see at a wake, not in his home.
Suddenly, a soft, unmistakable sound of crying drifted through the house. It was quiet, but clear.
Zane’s heart pounded like a jackhammer. Goosebumps prickled down his arms. He forced himself to speak. “Who’s there p>
The crying stopped at once. Silence, thick and suffocating.
Swallowing his fear, Zane flicked on every light in the house and hurried to his office to check the security cameras. He scrolled through the footage, frame by frame.
Nothing. No one had come in or out since he left. And on the feed, the living room was immaculate—no sign of any burnt ash.
Was he losing his mind?
He could’ve sworn he saw it.
Scowling, Zane stomped back to the living room. Sure enough, the floor was spotless.
How was that possible?
He stood there frowning for a long moment, then called the smart home company. They assured him that everything was working perfectly.
He even asked about the doorbell ringing last night. They told him he probably just imagined it.
Zane hung up, rubbing his temples. Ever since Winona was rescued, he’d been running on nerves and adrenaline. Maybe he was just stressed out-seeing things that weren’t there.
He tried to shake it off and headed to the kitchen for a bottle of water. But as soon as he twisted off the cap, the doorbell rang again.
Zane froze. “Hello? Who is it p>
No answer-just like last night.
Jaw clenched, Zane stomped toward the front door. The bell stopped the second he got there.
He peered through the peephole, expecting nothing.
Instead, he saw the impossible: his father, long dead, standing on the porch.
“Ah p>
Zane screamed, stumbling backward and falling hard on the floor.
A second later, Arthur-his father-appeared in the living room, swaying slightly
as he moved toward Zane.
That was it. Zane broke.
He fumbled for his phone, hands shaking, and called his mother.
“Mom, get over here! I just saw Dad! He’s-he’s here! Oh God p>
“What? Zane, honey, what are you talking about p>
Half an hour later, Priscilla burst into the house, punching in the door code. The first thing she saw was Zane, still sitting on the floor, looking like he’d seen a ghost.