Two Shadows, One Deadly Fascination!

Chapter 5: Vivian

My heart pounded as I stared at the cheap burner phone in my hand. I had rehearsed the conversation a hundred times in my head, every word, every calculated breath. I knew what I had to say to get him to let his guard down, to make him believe I was just another one of his victims—just like Leah.

It had to be perfect.

I dialed the number slowly, forcing myself to breathe as the phone rang. Once, twice… then his voice.

“Hello?”

I forced a nervous chuckle into my throat, making myself sound weak, hesitant, like I wasn’t sure about what I was doing. “Adam? It’s me… Vivian.”

There was a brief pause on the other end, and I could almost hear the smirk in his voice when he replied, “Vivian? Well, this is a surprise.”

I swallowed hard, keeping up the act. “I know… I didn’t think I’d ever call. But I… I’ve been thinking about what you said. The other day.”

Silence. I could feel his anticipation building, even over the phone.

“I just…” I continued, letting my voice falter a little. “I wanted to see if that offer still stands.”

That did it. His voice immediately softened, dripping with fake concern. “Of course it still stands, sweetheart. Why don’t you come over? We can talk, have a drink, clear the air.”

I clenched my fists, feeling the heat rise in my chest, but I forced myself to respond with a breathy, “Okay. I’ll be there soon.”

“Good. I’ll be waiting.”

I hung up and let out a shaky breath. That part was done. Now the hard part began.

I parked my car several streets away from Adam’s house, just on the edge of the park. Leah and I had walked this park a hundred times, more on nights when she just needed to breathe. It was a familiar sight for anyone who might see me heading that way, and it provided a perfect cover. If anyone asked, I’d been out for a walk, just like always. No one would suspect a thing.

As I stepped out of the car and adjusted my coat, the cold night air nipping at my skin, I mentally rehearsed the rest of the plan. There was no turning back now. Leah was barely hanging on in that hospital bed, and Adam… Adam was still free, living his life as though he hadn’t destroyed hers.

That was going to end tonight.

I made my way quickly through the park, my footsteps quiet, steady. The path I took looped around the back of Adam’s house, avoiding the front where anyone could see me. When I reached his backyard, I paused for a moment, my breath fogging in the cold night air. The house was quiet, the only light coming from the kitchen window. My pulse quickened, but I didn’t hesitate. I couldn’t.

I knocked on the back door, three quick taps, and waited.

The door swung open a moment later, and there he was, standing in the doorway with that smug grin I had grown to hate. He looked me up and down, not even trying to hide the hunger in his eyes. “Vivian,” he said, his voice slick with fake warmth. “I’m glad you came.”

I forced a shy smile, playing my part. “Me too.”

“Come in,” he said, stepping aside. “I’ve already set up a little something for us.”

I slipped inside, letting the door click shut behind me as I removed my coat. The kitchen was dimly lit, and I noticed the table set up near the window—two wine glasses already filled, a bottle sitting nearby. He had lit a candle, the soft glow casting shadows on the walls. He had planned for this, of course. I could feel his anticipation radiating off him, the way he moved closer, eager to finally have me where he wanted me.

“It’s nice, isn’t it?” Adam said, motioning toward the table as he turned his back to me. “I thought we could talk over a glass of wine. Just the two of us.”

The moment he turned, his back exposed, something inside me snapped into place. There was no more hesitation, no more second thoughts. I moved quickly, crossing the kitchen to the counter where the knife block stood. My fingers curled around the handle of a sharp, serrated blade, the cool steel grounding me in the moment.

This was it.

Adam was still talking, his voice a distant hum in my ears as I closed the distance between us. He hadn’t even noticed I was behind him.

I didn’t wait. I couldn’t afford to wait. I raised the knife high, and before he could turn around, I drove it into his back, the blade sinking into flesh with a sickening thud. His body jerked violently, a gasp of shock escaping him as he stumbled forward, crashing into the table. The wine glasses tipped over, shattering on the floor.

He spun around, eyes wide with disbelief, his hands clutching at his back where the blood began to seep through his shirt. “Vivian… what the—”

I didn’t let him finish. I moved forward again, plunging the knife into him once more, the force of my rage fueling every movement. This time, I aimed for his chest, the blade cutting through muscle, through bone. His eyes were filled with shock, and for the first time, I saw fear there. Real fear.

He staggered backward, blood dripping from his mouth as he struggled to speak, his voice weak, gasping. “Why…?”

I stared at him, my chest heaving with each breath, the knife still clenched tightly in my hand. “This is for Leah.”

Adam’s body slumped against the counter, his strength failing as his legs gave out beneath him. He slid to the floor, the pool of blood spreading across the tiles, mixing with the shattered glass and spilled wine.

I stood over him, watching as the life drained from his eyes, the last breath rattling out of his lungs.

It was done. He was gone.

I dropped the knife, the sound of it clattering to the floor barely registering as I stepped back, my mind racing. My pulse pounded in my ears, the adrenaline coursing through me as I stared down at the lifeless body of the man who had destroyed Leah’s life.