I gazed down at it. An involuntary smile touched my lips. It was a thin golden chain, decorated with glittering emeralds and sparkling tiny diamonds, shaped like roses.

“Someone gifted it to me on my graduation day,” I replied.

I still remember that day. Mom and Dad couldn’t attend because their flight got cancelled due to bad weather. No one from my family could attend. With a sunken mood when I returned to my apartment that night after a wild party with my friends, I found a small box laid before my door.

It was from someone anonymous. No note or name. Though I didn’t want to keep it, I just couldn’t resist it. I fell in love with it at first sight.

“Who?”

I shrugged. “Don’t know. There wasn’t any name on the gift box.”

“Princess, you shouldn’t accept anonymous gifts. It can be risky. And who would give you such an expensive bracelet and not reveal their name?” Dad’s forehead creased.

“It might be Tom. And I’m sure he is the one who sends you roses on your every birthday,” Warner said, his tone was filled with annoyance.

“Who is Tom?” Mom looked at me.

I sighed. “No one, Mom. A guy from my college who once asked me out.”

“No one? He literally stalked you everywhere until something happened, and he disappeared in the air. He must’ve taken my threat seriously about handing him over to police,” Warner exclaimed, his features were grim.

“Stalker?” Mom and Dad shrieked at the same time.

“All this happened, and you didn’t even consider informing us?” Dad gave me a look of displeasure and disappointment.

Warner shifted uncomfortably in his chair at my glare. He had to open his big mouth right now, didn’t he?

“Calm down, Dad. He was gone before I could even take any action.”

“Gone where?”

“I don’t know. One day he just… disappeared.” I shrugged. “Maybe he got the idea of my disinterest and gave up.”

“He even disappeared from college,” Warner muttered, receiving another look from me.

Honestly, I didn’t care where he vanished. But I didn’t think it was him who gave me this bracelet. Such a beautiful idea couldn’t come to a psycho’s head.

“Still, you should’ve told us, princess.” Dad shook his head.

“It’s all right, Mr. Hutton. I was there with her,” Warner chimed.

Dad eyed his lack of muscles and went back to his food. Tobias’s lips twitched at the side in amusement. He knew about Tom, but didn’t inform my parents because he knew how restless they could get about every little thing.

Mom’s gaze darted to the door. My sister was still missing.

Just as I picked an apple-pie and brought it to my lips, the sound of heels clicking against the tiled floor reached my ears.