“Who’s there?” Marcus’ voice snapped.
Fear took over.
I ran.
I didn’t think. I didn’t plan. I just ran.
My heart was pounding so hard I thought I might collapse before reaching the front door. I fumbled with the lock—
A hand grabbed my arm.
“Lauren! Why are you running?”
Marcus.
“Don’t touch me!” I screamed, shaking. “Who is she?! Who is that woman in our bedroom?!”
He stared at me like I had grown a second head.
“What woman?”
“The one in the red robe! The one drinking from that cup! Don’t lie to me!”
His face hardened.
“Lauren… there is no one in our bedroom.”
“Stop it!” My voice cracked. “I saw her!”
He let out a short laugh. Not amused. Not warm. Cold.
“Have you been sleeping properly? You’re scaring me.”
The way he said it… calm, controlled… almost concerned.
It made me doubt myself for half a second.
Then he grabbed my wrist.
“Come,” he said. “Let’s go look.”
We walked back to the bedroom.
It was empty.
No red robe.
No woman.
No cup.
The bed was perfectly made.
The air smelled faintly of cleaning spray.
I rushed to the bathroom. Empty.
Closet. Empty.
Guest room. Empty.
I felt dizzy.
Behind me, Marcus chuckled softly.
“You see?” he said. “There’s no one here.”
My hands were shaking violently. I knew what I saw.