Wait, I Recognize You!

Chapter 13

The morning dawned gently, with the sun's early rays streaming through the half-drawn curtains, painting the room in soft, golden light. Daphne stirred beneath the sheets, feeling the warmth of the sunlight on her face. She blinked, allowing the comforting familiarity of her bedroom to come into focus. Today was the day she had been eagerly anticipating—Billie's concert. But instead of the thrill she expected, a gnawing anxiety clung to her, rooted deep in her stomach.

Daphne sat up slowly, the events of the previous days swirling in her mind. She had barely slept, her thoughts racing from the moment she had left Billie's loft to the unexpected encounter with Alessia. The attack still left her shaken, her nerves frayed. She rubbed her temples, trying to push away the lingering dread that seemed to cling to her like a shadow.

She reached for her phone on the nightstand, swiping to silence the gentle chime of her morning alarm. A message notification flashed across the screen—it was from Grace, checking in to see how she was holding up after the incident. Grace had been a pillar of support, her concern a balm to Daphne's unsettled mind.

*"Morning, Daphne. How are you feeling today? Do you need anything?"*

Daphne hesitated before replying, her fingers hovering over the screen. She appreciated Grace's care, but she didn't want to dwell on the attack. Today was supposed to be about Billie, about the concert, and she didn't want anything to taint that. She typed a quick response.

*"Morning, Grace. I'm okay, just a bit tired. Thanks for checking in. I'll be fine—just need to focus on getting ready for tonight. Let's talk more when you get here later."*

With the message sent, Daphne set the phone aside and threw off the covers, her feet finding the cool hardwood floor. The house was quiet, almost too quiet, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside her. She shuffled to the bathroom, the familiar routine providing a semblance of normalcy. As she splashed water on her face, she caught her reflection in the mirror. Dark circles under her eyes told the story of a sleepless night, and her skin was paler than usual.

Daphne sighed and reached for her toothbrush, trying to focus on the task at hand. Every brushstroke felt like a small step toward regaining control, something she desperately needed. Her thoughts drifted back to the attack. Alessia's face flashed in her mind—angry, desperate, unhinged. Daphne couldn't fathom how things had escalated to that point. She shuddered, the memory sending a chill down her spine.

It had happened two days ago, just after Daphne had picked up Lily from school. She had decided to take a detour on their way home, stopping at the park to let Lily play for a while. It was a sunny afternoon, the kind that should have been filled with laughter and light. Instead, it had turned into a nightmare.

They had just arrived at the park when Daphne noticed someone standing near the entrance, their posture tense and their eyes fixed on her. It took a moment for Daphne to recognize the figure—Alessia. The last time they had seen each other, their conversation had ended in a bitter argument, but Daphne hadn't expected to see her again, especially not like this.

Alessia approached them with a strange, unsettling intensity, her eyes wild and her movements erratic. Daphne's heart began to race as she instinctively stepped in front of Lily, her protective instincts flaring. Alessia stopped a few feet away, her expression twisted with a mix of anger and desperation.

"What are you doing here, Daphne?" Alessia's voice was low, almost a growl. "Why are you trying to ruin everything?"

Daphne felt a surge of confusion and fear. "Alessia, I'm not trying to ruin anything. What are you talking about?"

Alessia's hands clenched into fists at her sides, her entire body trembling with barely contained rage. "You always think you're so perfect, don't you? Always so calm, so in control. But you're not, Daphne. You're just like the rest of us—weak, vulnerable. And I'm going to prove it."