Chapter 6
I couldn’t hear anything else Spaghetti was saying anymore.
My mind was in complete chaos!
Where had the cat gone?
I glanced back at Ruth, who was sleeping peacefully, and panic surged through me.
Where was the cat? Could Ruth be in danger?
The more I thought about it, the more terrified I became. Cold sweat had already soaked through my clothes.
Just then, William’s call came through. I didn’t want to answer, but he kept calling persistently.
He asked, “Leila, where are you? Ruth is still young. It’s fine if you’re mad at me, but have you thought about Ruth?”
His tone was as gentle and refined as always, but if you listened carefully, you could detect the anxiety beneath.
I said coldly, “William, have you no shame? At a time like this, you’re still putting on an act? I already know! I know everything!”
I lowered my voice and hissed at him furiously, “That cat–it’s
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your ex–wife Bella, isn’t it? You want to trade mine and Ruth’s lives for her resurrection, don’t you?”
At this point, I was done holding back. I might as well lay the truth bare!
William fell silent for a moment on the other end, followed by sounds of a struggle.
The next second, Jenny’s voice came through: “It’s me, Leila. I’m Jenny. Where are you right now? How can you be out this late with a child by yourself? You just gave birth–your body hasn’t recovered yet. What if something happens?”
Her voice was sharp with urgency: “I understand you’re angry with William. If you don’t like the cat, fine! William and I have already discussed it. We’ll come get you, and we’ll get rid of the cat! We don’t want the cat anymore–we just want you and the baby to come home! It’s so late. Please don’t make us worry, okay? Leila!”
She called my name with a mixture of helplessness and desperation.
I said, “Are you done with your performance? I told you–I already know about all your plans! You’re still acting? For whose benefit?”
Silence fell on the other end again.
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After a moment, William finally lost it and started cursing: “You bitch! Where the hell are you? Did you go back to your parents‘ house? I’m telling you, I’m right outside your parents‘ door right now! If you don’t come out, I’m going to break the door down!”
Just from his voice, I could imagine how unhinged he’d become.
He’d completely lost his mind. There was no point in saying. anything more to him.
I said, “Do whatever you want.”
With that, I hung up directly.
To prevent them from continuing to harass me, I blocked both William’s and Jenny’s numbers.
I also sent a quick text to my parents: [If he bothers you, call the police. I’m fine. I’ll explain everything in a few days.]
After hanging up, I lay back on the bed, my heart heavy with melancholy.
Where could the cat have gone?
As I was pondering this, suddenly there was a sound from the glass behind the curtains.
It wasn’t the sound of wind–it was like something tapping against the glass, then scraping across the window.
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Fighting back my fear, I pulled open the curtains and was shocked to see the cat crouched on the roof beam outside.
Through the glass, it glared at me with fury.
I froze: “How did you find me?”
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It seemed to understand my words, baring its teeth and tilting its head.
The next second, it extended its claws and viciously tore through the window screen.
It kept clawing at the screen, and I didn’t dare reach out to stop
- it.
Its claws were so sharp, and it harbored such hatred toward me.
If I got too close, it would likely pounce and attack me directly.
It was precisely because I backed away that it was able to leap up and land on the windowsill.
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