Chapter 3Three Meetings Left With The Devil

The moment I heard “overseas,” the alarm bells in my head went off.

“Overseas? You’re telling me this now? When are you leaving? Which school? Are you coming back?”

Tatum hadn’t expected my dramatic reaction and stammered her reply.

“I—I only found out recently. My stepmom even contacted the school. I have to leave right after the New Year. But it’s only a one-year Master’s, and the school has a summer break. I’ll definitely be back; I don’t want to live on a revolving door of gray-tasting foreign food forever.”

I quickly did the math. At our current meeting frequency, 15 was about the number of times we’d see each other before she left. From then on, I’d never see Tatum again?

I felt my blood run cold. I was about to say something, but Rhys, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly spoke in a low voice.

“Your stepmother sounds quite eager about this.”

Tatum nodded. “She does, but Dad also said studying abroad is good for me.”

Rhys opened his eyes slightly and smiled, seemingly casually bringing up a topic. “Didn’t your stepmom just have another little boy this year?”

Everyone in our circle knew about the Bell family’s new addition. Tatum’s biological mother died young, and her father married a beautiful second wife who gave birth to a son within a year. This year, their fifth year of marriage, the Bells welcomed a second son, Leo.

The puzzle pieces clicked into a terrifying picture. The Bell family was one of the wealthiest in Crescent Bay. My suspicion was clear. If the stepmother had any ill intentions…

I shivered.

Once we reached the resort, changed into our swimsuits, and were soaking in the hot spring, I spoke to Tatum in a serious tone.

“Tatum, listen to me. Don’t go abroad this time. Find an excuse to refuse. If you want to study overseas, choose the country and school yourself after the New Year. Do not let your stepmother interfere.”

Tatum blinked her wet eyes at me. “Why, Sav?”

Seeing her clueless expression, I decided to go all-in. I told her everything—about seeing numbers above people’s heads and what they meant.

Tatum’s face went white. She lunged forward, clutching me in a hug. “Savannah, promise me you’re not telling me a horror story!”

“Where would I get that kind of imagination?” I patted her back helplessly.

Tatum, ever the dramatic one, immediately grabbed her phone from the edge of the pool. She called her dad, alternating between pleading, feigning illness, and threatening him. Finally, her dad conceded, agreeing to discuss the study abroad plan after the New Year.

The instant Tatum hung up, I clearly saw the number above her head shoot up from 15 to 2000+.

My eyes widened. I stood up in the pool, overjoyed. The number could change! Rhys was saved!