Chapter 8
For someone who never smoked, Evan Carter broke his rule after returning home,
He sat on the couch, lighting cigarette after cigarette, coughing violently but refusing to stop.
His normally cold, stoic eyes were red and glassy, tears occasionally rolling down his cheeks.
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.
When I was alive, he loathed me, wishing for my death.
that I was gone, he was grieving,
Was this what it meant to only appreciate something after it’s lost?
“Evan, I made you some warm milk,” Lila said softly, approaching with a gentle smile.
“You need to take care of yourself. Don’t let the sadness consume you.”
Her voice was soothing, her demeanor playing the role of a supportive confidante perfectly.
Lila, I just need to be alone. Go home for now,” Evan sighed heavily.
“What?” Lila froze, clearly not expecting him to send her away.
She bit her lip and said, “I’m sorry, Evan. This is all my fault. If it’ll make you feel better, you can yell at me. Or I’ll go find the Butcher and trade my life for Ava’s. I’m already dying anyway.”
She turned to leave dramatically, but Evan immediately snapped out of his sadness and grabbed her arm.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said. “This isn’t your fault. It’s mine. I brought this on myself.”
His fired, bloodshot eyes softened as he added, “It’s late. Don’t go running around. Just stay and sleep in the guest room.”
I shook my head in disbelief.
Love and indifference were so stark in times like these.
f
His grief for me was merely guilt, not love.
Lila’s crocodile tears worked wonders on him.
Relieved, Lila stopped her crying and headed for the bathroom.
Once inside, she made a phone call.
“What the hell were you thinking?” she hissed.
“Not only did you fail to clean up the bodies, but you also sent those hands to the wedding! Are you insane?”
Her voice dropped to a menacing whisper.
“Are you trying to ruin everything?”
My mind reeled. Lila was working with the Rainy Night Butcher?
The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.
Even though I knew the truth now, I was powerless to act.
All I could do was hope the police would find some evidence and bring Lila to justice.
Evan finished his pack of cigarettes and cracked open a bottle of liquor.
L
12:17
Butchered by Love
12:17
Chapter 8
After only a few drinks, he passed out on the couch.
Late that night, Lila emerged from the bedroom wearing a sheer nightgown.
She draped herself over Evan, whispering seductively.
“Evan,” she purred. “Come to bed with me.”
Evan stirred and responded instinctively, rolling over and pressing her into the couch.
His lips brushed her neck as she whispered, “Take me, Evan. Please.”
Her hands wandered across his body, pulling him closer.
ching them, I couldn’t hold back a bitter laugh.
I was the biggest fool in the world, the punchline of my own tragedy.
Then, abruptly, Evan froze.
His eyes snapped open, and he recoiled as if burned.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice slurred.
“I thought you were Ava… I must’ve been dreaming.”
“Evan, I can be Ava for you,” Lila whispered, clutching him tightly.
She kissed his ear, her hands tugging at his belt.
“Stop it, Lila,” Evan said firmly, pushing her away.
He took a deep breath, his tone turning cold.
“Right now, my only priority is finding the person responsible. Go back to the guest room and don’t do this again, or I’ll be angry.”
For the first time, Evan showed irritation toward Lila.
Both she and I were stunned.
Though she opened her mouth to protest, she quickly noticed his increasingly frigid demeanor and retreated to the bedroom.
Once alone, she turned her fury on my wedding photo.
“You bitch!” she spat.
“Even dead, you’re ruining everything. I should have someone curse you so your soul will never rest.”
The next morning, the police called to inform Evan they had captured the Rainy Night Butcher.
He and Lila rushed to the station.
To my surprise, Lila didn’t show a hint of anxiety in the waiting room.
She sat calmly, sipping tea, her composed demeanor making me doubt what I’d overheard the night before.
Had I imagined it?
