CHAPT 15: Uninvited Truths

Lynda had to admit—she felt safer after Isaac installed the security devices. It was a small relief, but a relief nonetheless. For the first time in weeks, she wasn’t constantly looking over her shoulder or questioning every little sound in the house. She had even started sleeping better. Nothing strange had happened since that night, and for that, she was grateful.

“Thanks, Isaac,” she had told him a few days after. “I really appreciate what you did.”

He had just shrugged, brushing it off like it was nothing. “Just be careful, Lynda. That’s all that matters.”

Weeks passed. Two, to be exact. And life almost felt normal again. Work kept her busy, and her nights were quiet. The unease hadn’t completely disappeared, but it no longer consumed her thoughts like before.

Then, one evening, it hit her—she still didn’t really know her neighbors.

Sure, she had exchanged polite nods and smiles with a few of them, but that was it. No real conversations. No connections. It was strange. Back in her old place, she at least knew who lived next door. Here? She was practically a stranger.

Maybe that was why everything felt so…off.

So, she decided to change that. A small housewarming party seemed like the perfect excuse.

She planned it for the weekend, sending out casual invitations to the surrounding houses. Nothing too formal—just an evening of drinks, snacks, and introductions. It was about time she got to know the people who lived around her.

--------*----*--------

The night of the party arrived, and to her relief, a handful of neighbors actually showed up. It was a mixed crowd—some younger, some older, all polite and friendly enough. Lynda made small talk, played hostess, and tried her best to ignore the small knot of anxiety still buried deep in her stomach.

Then she met him.

“Lynda Stetson, right?”

The voice was smooth, confident, yet strangely detached.

She turned to find a man standing by the corner of the living room, watching her with an unreadable expression. He was tall, lean, dressed in dark casual attire that made him seem even more out of place among the more relaxed party guests.

“That’s me,” she said, forcing a polite smile. “And you are…?”

“Adriel Vincent.”

She paused. The name was unfamiliar. “I don’t think we’ve met before.”

A small smirk played at his lips. “We haven’t.”

“Then how do you know my name?”

Adriel tilted his head slightly. “It’s a small neighborhood.”

Something about the way he said it made her uneasy. He wasn’t wrong—people talked, especially in places like this—but his presence, his demeanor, something about him felt…off.

“So, do you live around here?” she asked, keeping her tone casual.

His eyes flickered with something she couldn’t quite place. “Not exactly. But I know this house well.”

Lynda’s fingers tightened around the glass she was holding. “Oh?”

Adriel’s gaze swept over the room before returning to her. “My mother owns this house. Your landlord.”

That caught her off guard. “You’re her son?”

He hesitated. “Adopted.”

That single word carried weight. Lynda didn’t know why, but it did.

“Right.” She took a sip of her drink, trying to ignore the strange energy between them. “Well, it’s nice to meet you. I—”

“Do you like it here?” he interrupted, his voice suddenly quieter. “The house, I mean.”

Lynda blinked at the unexpected question. “Yeah, I guess. It’s nice.”

“Nice,” he echoed, almost like he was testing the word.

An odd silence stretched between them.

Then, finally, he spoke again. “Has anything… unusual happened since you moved in?”

Her heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean?”

Adriel studied her carefully, as if weighing his next words. “Nothing. Just curious.”

Lynda felt a chill run down her spine. She opened her mouth to ask him what he really meant, but before she could, he gave her a small, unreadable smile and stepped away, disappearing into the crowd.

She exhaled slowly, realizing only then that she had been holding her breath.

Something wasn’t right about him. She could feel it.

And the worst part?

She had a nagging suspicion that he knew exactly what was wrong with this house.

And he wasn’t telling her.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***