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Willow's Diary Content

Dear S,
There have been some odd things happening between me and Mason lately. Actually, he's the one who's been acting strangely, and I need to understand what's going on beneath all of this. His behavior has shifted from affectionate to distant, and it's like I'm living with a stranger. Once I know what's really happening, I'll tell you everything.

Dear S,
Something unsettling happened this morning. Mason went to the supermarket, but I noticed he forgot his phone on the counter near the door. I didn't think much of it at first, but the moment I realized his phone was in front of me, I impulsively called him to let him know. To my surprise, he answered. My heart raced as I realized that his phone was with him—so whose phone was I calling? I quickly explained that I had accidentally dialed him and hung up, my mind racing with questions. That's my first clue. I tucked it away in my nightstand, between my lingerie, where he would never think to look. When he came back, I caught him searching the house, but he wouldn't tell me what he was looking for.

Dear S,
Today Mason is out all day because he went fishing at the lake, leaving me with time to investigate that mysterious phone. I turned it on, and the first thing I noticed was that his wallpaper was completely different from his other phone. Instead of our wedding day, this one had a photo of him alone, looking carefree. It struck me as odd. When I tried to access his journal, I discovered it was locked with a password, a barrier I couldn't cross. My heart raced with a mix of dread and determination—what was he hiding?

Dear S,
I'm still searching for that phone password, and Mason is getting suspicious. I caught him looking through my drawers multiple times, and his anxiety is palpable. To make matters worse, some money has been disappearing from our bank account, and I've noticed he's been rummaging through our marriage and inheritance documents. He tries to hide it, but I always catch him in the act. Why is he so intent on covering his tracks? It's unsettling, and every day it feels like I'm losing my grasp on the reality I thought we shared.

Dear S,
Everything about Mason is becoming increasingly creepy. Last night, I had to sleep alone in our bed. He was in the garden shed all night, and I could barely hear him, but it sounded like he was working with his circular saw. Even before going to bed, I asked if he wanted help with whatever he was doing, but he rejected my offer immediately, shutting me out completely. This morning, I tried to bring him breakfast, but he wouldn't let me inside. I can't shake the feeling that he's hiding something from me, and every little thing makes my skin crawl.

Dear S,
I'm sorry if I'm not sharing everything with you right now, but I know, in some way or another, that you're going to read all of this eventually. I finally unlocked the phone, and what I found made everything click into place. He has an affair—with another woman. I can't believe it. It all makes sense now, especially when I think about the times I needed to buy ingredients for desserts or dinner. He always volunteered to go out, and now I realize why. The woman he's involved with is a cashier who works at that supermarket near the library.

Their conversations aren't just about their love; they're talking about things they've done together. The last part of this entry is burned, but I can't shake the feeling that it contained something crucial.

Scarlett's POV

That was everything I could find in that half-burnt diary. But now, it all seems so clear.

Mason did, in fact, have another woman, and she worked at that supermarket! It explains so much—why he always went there and why, that night when we met, he was so adamant about me not looking at him while he spoke with the cashier. There's a sickening knot in my stomach as I consider how easily he deceived Willow, and now me.

Then there's that burned section of the diary, where she hinted at something darker they did together. The blood on the car, the circular saw... I know movies aren't reality, but I have an ominous feeling in the pit of my stomach. This can't just be an affair; it feels like something far more sinister.

I carefully keep the diary in a plastic bag to preserve it, treating it like evidence in a case. I can't risk losing any detail that might lead to understanding the truth about what happened to Willow.

A couple of days later, I decided to take a break from this stalker situation. I didn't want to draw suspicion, and everything I discovered was weighing heavily on my shoulders, so I thought a pause would help me gather my thoughts.

It's the day before Christmas Eve, and I'm home on my sofa, trying to unwind. I scroll through Instagram, letting the distractions wash over me, but then something catches my eye. Mason has posted a story, and I realize with shock that he hasn't posted anything since before Willow disappeared. Surprised he hasn't blocked me, I click on it, and my heart sinks as I read the caption above his selfie:

"They say silence is golden, but some messes are just too loud to ignore. #JustTakingCareOfThings #PeaceAndQuiet"

Willow knew too much, and when she confronted him, he couldn't let her just walk away. I'm really starting to think that Mason killed my best friend. My hands tremble as I look at his smile in the photo. It feels too triumphant, too smug, and I know I can't sit idly by anymore. I need to uncover the truth before it's too late.