Lena stood under the dim light of the park lamp, her hands shaking as she read the message again.
He will try to kill you again.
The words felt heavier than anything she had ever read.
Her breathing slowly became calmer, but her mind was still spinning.
Ryan… a killer?
It didn't make sense.
Just hours ago, he had been smiling and joking with her in the bookstore.
But what she saw in the basement was real.
The money.
The men.
The cold expression on Ryan's face.
Lena typed quickly.
Lena:
What is he involved in?
The reply came after a few seconds.
Illegal deals. Money transfers. Dangerous people.
Lena swallowed.
So Ryan wasn't just hiding something.
He was part of something serious.
Her phone vibrated again.
And that night… you discovered it.
Lena closed her eyes as the memory began slowly returning.
Rain falling heavily.
The sound of thunder.
Ryan standing on a bridge.
And her confronting him.
Another message appeared.
You tried to stop him.
Her head started hurting again as more pieces of the memory returned.
She remembered shouting.
Ryan yelling back.
His face angry.
Different from the Ryan she knew.
Another message arrived.
You threatened to go to the police.
Lena's heart beat faster.
And then—
A final flash of memory hit her.
Ryan grabbing her arm.
The slippery ground.
Her foot losing balance.
A sudden push.
And the dark river rushing up to meet her.
Lena gasped and opened her eyes.
Her whole body felt cold.
"He really… pushed me."
Tears slowly filled her eyes.
The man she had started trusting again…
Had already killed her once.
Her phone vibrated again.
Now you remember.
Lena wiped her tears.
Her fingers trembled as she typed.
Lena:
What should I do now?
For the first time, the reply took longer.
Nearly a full minute passed.
Then the message appeared.
Stay away from Ryan.
Another message followed.
If you avoid him, the future might change.
Lena looked down at the screen.
It sounded simple.
Just stay away.
But something deep inside her felt uneasy.
What if Ryan already suspected something?
What if he was already looking for her?
As if answering her thoughts—
Her phone vibrated again.
But this time…
It wasn't a message.
It was a call.
The caller name on the screen made Lena's blood freeze.
Ryan calling…
Her heart started pounding again.
The phone kept ringing in her trembling hand.
If she answered…
Ryan would know she was still alive.
But if she ignored it…
He might come looking for her.
The phone continued ringing in the silent night.
And Lena realized something terrifying.
No matter what choice she made next—
Her life was already in danger again.