Chapter 5

Laura's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly steadied herself. "I must've been having a nightmare. I didn't know what I was saying," she said calmly. Dexter stared at her for a moment. His tense expression softened as he reached out to feel her forehead. "Are you still feeling ill?" Laura instinctively turned away, avoiding his hand. His fingers froze mid-air. "What's wrong?" "You smell like perfume. It's strong. I don't like it," she replied coldly. Dexter looked momentarily confused. Lowering his head, he sniffed the collar of his shirt, his brow furrowing. "Must've rubbed off when the alternate personality… interacted with Regina." He stood up. "I'm sorry. I'll wash it off right now and come back." "No need." "What?" "I said, don't bother." Laura looked up at him, her eyes cold and unreadable. However, Dexter misunderstood her. He stepped closer, his tone soft but firm. "I have to. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable." He softened. "The version of me standing here only loves you. I don't want you to feel even the slightest discomfort." Laura's lips curved into a bitter smile as her eyes dropped to his neck. "You can wash off her perfume. Can you wash off her bite marks, though?" Dexter froze. Following Laura's gaze, he turned to look in the mirror. That was when he saw it—a red mark, bright and shameless, blooming on the side of his neck. His expression darkened. "That wasn't me. That was him. I didn't… I couldn't stop him," he said quickly. Reaching for her hand, he pleaded, "Laura, just give me a little more time. I swear I'll find a way to get rid of him. I'll come back to you completely—just me." But Laura pulled her hand away in the silence. There was nothing else left to say. She was done waiting, and there was no going back. … After Laura was discharged, perhaps sensing the heaviness in her heart, Dexter insisted on throwing her an extravagant birthday celebration. "I don't want to go." Laura refused the invitation outright. "That's not an option," he insisted, his voice firm. "You haven't smiled in so long. I want to give you something that makes you happy." He personally chose her gown and jewelry. He brought in a top-tier glam team and dressed her like a star. Then, he drove her to the hotel himself. Dexter stayed by her side the entire afternoon. He guided her with greeting the guests and unveiled one surprise after another—a massive garden of roses, a custom-built starlight projection above the ballroom, and a live performance by her favorite band. Yet, Laura remained detached. All these things—once enough to move her—now felt hollow, even ridiculous. … As the evening drew to a close and the guests started to leave, Regina arrived. She walked in wearing a crimson gown and high heels that clicked confidently across the marble floor. Every pair of eyes in the room turned to her. Whispers rippled through the crowd. "Why is she here?" "She totally did this on purpose. Showing up now? She's clearly trying to ruin Laura's night." "Mr. Gardner's shift to the alternate personality usually happens around this time… She's here to stake her claim." Laura didn't want to get dragged into the drama. She turned on her heel, ready to leave, but Regina stepped in and grabbed her wrist. "Happy birthday, Laura!" Regina beamed sweetly, holding out a perfectly wrapped gift box. "I picked this just for you." Before Laura could respond, Regina was already gliding toward the grand piano in the corner. "I heard you like piano music. Let me play something special for you." She sat down gracefully, fingers poised over the keys. Just as the clock struck 6:00 pm, her fingers brushed the first note… "Ah!" Regina screamed. She clutched her hand and doubled over. Tears welled in her eyes. "It hurts…" Dexter rushed over immediately. "Rena! What happened?" She turned her palm toward Dexter. A thin streak of blood glistened at her fingertip. "There were razor blades under the keys…" Tears welled in Regina's eyes as she looked at Laura, voice trembling with hurt and confusion. "Laura, why would you put a blade in the piano? Were you trying to destroy my hand on purpose?"