Cross Roads

Chapter 268 It was said that living on higher floors could lead to feelings of loneliness and anxiety.

Stephanie lived on the fourth floor, which was not particularly high, but as she stood on her small balcony watching the sunrise, she didn't feel the energy. Instead, she was exhausted, as if she had been burning the midnight oil and couldn't shake of the fatigue Her head felt light. Perhaps she had slept too much. Yesterday, when Mary and Hayley pressured her to sign the divorce papers, she seemed indifferent, but deep down, it bothered her a lot. Maybe living in high-rise buildings really made people feel lonely and anxious She picked up a bottle of antidepressants, ready to twist open the cap, but paused Who must s put this here?" she frowned.

Someone had stick a small white label on the bottle, with the words "Take after meals" printed on it.

She remembered the last tshe took this medication was at Molly's apartment, and there was no such label. Stephanie didn't dwell on it. The note served as a gentle reminder. She placed the bottle on the table, went into the bedroom to grab a long coal, touched up her makeup, and headed downstairs for breakfast.

As she locked her door, she noticed a white drone abandoned to the left of her doorstep. It was about the size of a small stool, already unboxed with the remote control lying beside it Many residents in this complex were families with children, so it was likely a child's toy left behind, These drone toys seem pretty expensive," she murmured, glancing at it briefly before entering the elevator and heading down to the first floor Across the street from the neighborhood was a brunch restaurant with decent food and reasonable prices. Residents often chere early in the morning for breakfast.

Stephanie also enjoyed these delicate pastries. Living with the Wellingtons had taught her the habit of rising early. It was now 6 AM, and the restaurant was mostly filled with elderly folks leisurely chatting over breakfast.

She sat alone at a corner table, ordering smullins and croissants. She thought that if she could set aside her worries, this kind of relaxed, almost retired life could be quite enjoyable.

"I heard that Room 402 in Block F has been renovated and rented out again." A group of five or six long-tresidents were chatting at the table next to Stephanie. Normally, she wouldn't pay attention to others' conversations, but it sounded like they were talking about her since she was the one living in 402 in Block F.

"I saw her in the elevator a few days ago. She's beautiful, but she looks pretty unwell, really thin, like she's been seriously ill, one of them whispered, their voice dripping with mystery.

"Dude, don't be so tic. You said she was sick before she moved in, not after" "That's not necessarily true. There must be slingering effects" empty fo for over half a "Yeah, it's kind of creepy: 402 was rented out the day before yesterday, and the very next day, 502 upstairs, which had been emp year, was leased too. Better safe than sorry. After all, someone did die there? As their conversation continued, a chill ran down Stephanie's spine, and her fork, holding a mufin, clattered onto the table.

"The management asked us not to mention that incident, so it wouldn't affect property values here. It's in everyone's best interest" "You think people don't know just because we don't talk about it? With the internet, anyone can look up our complex and find out what happened. Besides, one-bedrooms here usually go for at least 23 thousand dollars a month. If someone's renting out Room 402 in Black F for only 1.3 thousand dollars, anyone with half a brain would know something's up." Stephanie looked at the croissant in her hand, suddenly losing her appetite.

*Room 502 was also going to be discounted to rent it out, but that guy was freaking generous. Anson just threw out a random price, and he signed the contract without even haggling "Anson is really unlucky. Apartments here are in such high demand, but he couldn't rent out 502 for over half a year. And now the owner of 402 downstairs is threatening to sue him." Stephanie listened intently to the elders' conversation, feeling her scalp tingling.

Six months ago, a couple had lived in Room 502 of Block F in this neighborhood. One day, they had a heated argument that turned violent. The woman tried to escape, but the man had lacked the front door. She climbed down to the balcony of Room 402 below, hoping to find help.

then, the woman had already been stabbed multiple times in the chest. She was weak, and her clothes were soaked in blood, leaving a trail of Chapter 268 horrifying stains on her hands and the floor. She screamed desperately, banging on the glass door of the 402 balcony, but the resident inside was too terrified by her appearance to approach.

The resident intended to call the police, but before they could, the man from 502 jumped down from his balcony with a terrifying look on his face. He grabbed the woman's shoulders and violently pushed her off the building. killing her.

The way that woman died was just horrifying, and so much of her blood had splattered onto the 402 balcony. Rumors began to circulate about her spirit, haunting the place. Over time, both 502 and 402 becvacant, Stephanie's body stiffened, and she abruptly stood up. Her movement pulled at the tablecloth, knocking over a coffee pot. The clattering sound drew the attention of those around them.

"Hey, she's the new tenant from 402," one of the elderly men remarked, staring at her in surprise. Stephanie had a complex feeling. She turned to look at them. The old folks avoided her gaze. A waiter cto clean up the spilled coffee, and she paid her bill, grabbing a takeout box of pasta before leaving.

Others might not know, but Stephanie had a secret she was terrified of ghosts.

Her grandfather, Thomas, had always said, "You'll have nothing to fear if you haven't done anything wrong." But she was still scared. As child, she often heard faint noises and saw fleeting shadows. She had mentioned it to her grandfather several times, but he only vaguely told her that she was mistaken and overthinking. Even as an adult, she was still wary of such things. Vincent would surely laugh at her if he knew. Stephanie returned to the so-called haunted" 402, feeling uneasy the entire way.

As she was about to unlock the door, she noticed the white electric toy car still sitting outside. It was such an expensive toy, yet no one had cto claim it.

She was in no mood bother about such things. She entered the apartment, took her medicine, and decided to take a nap.

Stephanie fell asleep quickly, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she smelled a faint scent of burning herbs in the air. Her body felt weak and heavy as if someone was holding her down.

What was meant to be a short nap turned into a deep slumber that las lasted most of the day It wasn't until nearly evening that a sudden clap of thunder jolted Stephanie awake.

A sudden downpour erupted, rain lashing against the windows. The temperature plummeted, the cool air clearing up her senses.

ck if the doors and windows were locked.

Stephanie sat up in bed, her first instinct to check

Her one-bedroom apartment was so small that from her bedroom, she could see the living room and balcony. Suddenly, Stephanie froze, her eyes wide with horror as a dark figure flitted past the balcony door. The

intensified, accompanied by thunder. She hated these stormy nights, a mix of emotions welling up inside her. It wasn't just the rumors about the haunted apartment. It also brought back memories of the night she had been cut open. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Stephanie turned on all the lights in the apartment, illuminating every corner.

She told herself there was nothing to fear, that all her anxieties were just demons in her mind. If she faced it head-on, they wouldn't be so terrifying.

Mustering her courage, she rushed to the glass door and pulled it open. A gust of wind and rain whipped against her face, the icy water sharpening her senses.

Stephanie scanned her surroundings carefully, but nothing seemed amiss.

Perhaps the fleeting shadow sh she had seen was nothing.

Yet, as she calmed down and prepared to go back inside, her foot stepped on a doorknob. The metal handle was noticeably loose.

tiny screw. She screw. She bent down to pick it up, her gaze falling on the

Rainwater, driven by the wind, seeped into the house. Stephanie was m drenched and pale. She raised her head, following the wall's pipework and looking up to Hoom 502 above....