hapter 10
Chapter 10
I touched something carefully hidden in my pocket and approached him.
The man seemed startled to see me.
I smiled at him and spoke first: “Did you know Lily?”
The man nodded, his voice raspy.
“Yes, Lily was once my student.”
He looked at my little sister’s photo on the gravestone, his eyes nostalgic.
“Lily was intelligent and obedient–one of the few students I’ve taught who truly loved learning.”
“That’s why, for ten years, I’ve felt
it was such a pity.”
“I heard today was the anniversary of her death, so I came to pay my respects.”
The man looked up at me, his expression unreadable.
He softened his voice, “Are you Lily’s older sister?
kadou have similar features.”
I studied the white hair visible beneath his hat brim and smiled.
Neither confirming nor denying, I politely asked,
“What should I call you?”
The man hesitated before answering, “My name is William Rhodes.”
I nodded thoughtfully, stepping past him to place my flowers on my little sister’s grave.
As I moved closer, he instinctively stepped back.
Then suddenly stopped, staring at my face with a strange intensity.
I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, just as Mom had done before jumping.
Then I smiled.
William seemed momentarily transfixed, involuntarily blurting out:
“When you smile, you look even more like Lily.”
I blinked innocently. “Mr. Rhodes, it’s been ten years since you’ve seen Lily. Do you still remember what she looked like?”
Chapter 10
William seemed to realize he’d misspoken and quickly tried to backtrack.
1 interrupted him.
“I brought some old photos of Lily. Would you like to see them?”
William appeared hesitant, seemingly unsure how to decline.
Pretending not to notice his discomfort, I slowly reached into my pocket.
But instead of photos, I pulled out a syringe.
William reacted quickly, attempting to back away.
His pupils contracted in fear as he gasped, “What are you-”
My movements were faster.
I’d rehearsed this scene countless times in my mind.
The needle pierced William’s neck, cutting his sentence short as his body crumpled.
I calmly put on gloves, methodically dragging him to my car.
Years ago, I had chosen a new burial plot for my little sister.
In the most secluded part of the cemetery, right beside a little–used side entrance.
The distance from my little sister’s grave to that exit was minimal.
For ten years, I hadn’t missed a day of physical training, honing my strength and reflexes.
Ten years of preparation for this single day.
