Part 3Caught My Cheater in a Deadly Scene

I opened the closet door and stood frozen for a few seconds, waiting for feeling to return to my legs.

Then I tiptoed forward as silently as possible, inching toward the front door.

One step, two steps, three steps. The dark red security door was right there!

Derek was still in the kitchen, running water.

I reached for the doorknob, my knuckles white from gripping so hard.

Suddenly—

"Knock knock knock!"

A loud pounding came from the door. I jumped, my body jerking violently.

"Rachel? Derek? Anyone home?"

It was our neighbor Karen—her voice loud and excited, like she was bursting with gossip.

Almost instantly, the water in the kitchen stopped.

My scalp prickled. I yanked my hand back and scanned the room. The living room was wide open—nowhere to hide except behind the big L-shaped couch angled by the door.

I dove behind it, curling into a ball, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Derek's footsteps approached, passing right by the couch where I hid, heading for the door.

"Who is it?"

His voice was totally calm.

"It's Karen!"

The voice outside sounded even more eager.

"Heard noise and thought maybe Rachel was home?"

"Baked fresh cornbread muffins—Rachel's favorite. Still warm!"

"Hey Karen."

Derek opened the door a crack, not all the way.

"Rachel's not back yet. Just making bone broth—chopping up bones. Want some?"

"Really?"

Karen's tone changed. She craned her neck through the crack, like she wanted to squeeze inside.

"Weird. Swear I saw her come into the building this afternoon."

"You two fight or something?"

"Derek, you're a good guy. Don't go messin' around on our Rachel!"

I lay on the cold tile, my shirt soaked with sweat.

Karen lived right across the hall. She was friendly enough, but couldn't mind her own business to save her life.

She was the one who texted me about Derek bringing a woman home—said I should come catch him in the act.

I never thought she'd stick around for the show after sending that text. Now she was here, trying to stir up drama.

And now she was going to get me killed!

Derek's expression shifted when he heard that.

"What are you talking about?"

"Rachel's not supposed to be back until tomorrow. I bought her train ticket myself."

"How could she be here today? You must have seen wrong, Karen."

Derek's voice still had a smile in it, but there was an edge underneath.

He gripped the doorknob, his knuckles whitening slightly.

Karen let out an "Oh!" and lowered her voice, but you could hear the gossip-hungry excitement.

"Tyler saw her! Said he ran into Rachel at the building entrance half an hour ago. She even said hi. No way he's mistaken!"

She paused, then her voice went up again, fishing for information.

"What, she didn't come up?"

"Or did she come in, see something she shouldn't have, you two fought, and she took off?"

Karen raised her eyebrows meaningfully.

"Derek, you can't do this!"

"Rachel's such a sweet kid. Her parents treat you like their own son—always bringing you food, buying you stuff, looking out for you."

"Don't do something stupid!"

Derek's face turned stone cold. His jaw tightened.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his tone forced.

"Karen, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Rachel really hasn't come back. And there's nothing to hide here."

He stepped aside, sounding almost helpless.

"If you don't believe me, come on in and check for yourself."

Karen laughed awkwardly.

"Listen to you! Of course I believe you."

She mumbled something about Rachel probably getting stuck in the lobby.

Otherwise, if Rachel had really come back to catch him cheating and found that woman, there'd be screaming by now. No way it'd be this quiet.

With that, Karen thrust the plate of cornbread muffins into Derek's hands and forced a smile.

"Tyler must've been mistaken."

"You get back to your broth. I'll let myself out. Tell Rachel I stopped by when she gets in."

"Will do. Thanks, Karen."

Derek closed the door and slowly turned around.

He stood there for a moment. Then a slow smile spread across his face.

"Baby~"

"You're home. Why don't you come out?"

"Playing hide and seek with your husband?"

As he spoke, he started walking toward the couch—slow, deliberate steps.

Each footstep echoed in my head.

I was petrified, my mind going blank. I couldn't move, couldn't think.

The footsteps stopped.

Derek's voice came from above me, low and cold.

"Well, well. Found you."