Chapter 1

Every hair on my arms stood up when I heard that familiar voice.

Agonizing images from my previous timeline flooded back into my mind.

I vividly remembered how my daughter, Luna Woods, had slowly gone cold as I held her.

My wife, Marina Marlow, screamed hysterically. Her eyes were bloodshot with stress.

The groom’s voice from the electronic invitation was etched into my memory.

“We’d be honored if you could join us to celebrate our special day!”

It was him! It was Kai Pierce, our neighbor!

He was the man who always seemed to “coincidentally” run into Marina in the elevator. He would smile and praise her for being such a “capable housewife.”

“Hello? Can you hear me? Do you need an ambulance?

“Is that a child sick? Is she having a fever?”

Kai’s voice came through the phone again. He sounded calm.

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

This time, I did not even have the chance to tell him what happened.

How could he possibly know Luna was ill?

Was he waiting for this call all along?

“Beep… beep… beep…”

I hung up, and my hand holding the phone trembled.

Marina rushed out from the bathroom with a wet towel. She was stunned when she saw me standing motionless, looking utterly distraught.

“What’s wrong? Did they answer? You’re very pale!”

Ignoring her, I picked up Luna and strode quickly toward the door.

I needed to hurry. I could not entrust my child’s life in Kai’s hands again!

“What are you doing?!”

Marina stepped swiftly in front of the entryway. She looked shocked and confused.

“Did you call 911? Is the ambulance coming? Where are you taking her?”

“Move aside!”

I forced the words through gritted teeth. My voice shook.

“I’m driving her to the hospital myself!”

“Are you crazy? She’s burning up! An ambulance is the fastest way!”

She grabbed the phone that I had left on the sofa and redialed 911. She deliberately switched it to speaker.

That chilling male voice sounded again.

“911, what’s your emergency?”

“Hello? Yes, hello! My daughter—she’s two. She has a high fever and is burning up. Please, send an ambulance fast!”

Marina spoke fast in panic.

“Okay, ma’am. I need you to stay calm. We’re dispatching the nearest ambulance to you now.”

It was still Kai on the line, but his voice was completely different from the slow, drawling tone he had used with me earlier.

After hanging up, Marina visibly relaxed.

She looked at me with a mix of reproach and confusion on her face.