Swamp Murder

Swamp murder. 16

The next afternoon, I woke up feeling like I hadn't slept at all.

I lay on the floor for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling, waiting for the heaviness in my chest to fade. It didn't.

Grandma was already awake, sitting by the window knitting, as usual.

"Good afternoon," I mumbled, sitting up.

She glanced at me over her glasses. "You look tired."

I forced a smile. "Just a long night."

She hummed but didn't press. "Mia brought lunch before heading out. Eat before it get cold"

I nodded, dragging myself up. I wasn't hungry, but I ate anyway, knowing Grandma would scold me if I didn't.

After eating, I chatted with grandma for 4 hours, had my bath, grabbed my bag which contains my work clothes and left.

I told myself I was just going to see Dre, check in before work like I said I would.

But deep down, I knew why I was really going.

I needed a distraction.

Dre's apartment smelled like alcohol and cologne when I stepped inside.

He was sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone, but when he saw me, his lips curved into a slow smirk.

"Look who actually showed up."

I rolled my eyes and dropped my bag. "I said I would."

He set his phone aside and stretched, his muscles flexing under his tight shirt. "You look tense, Zhan."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah, well, my life is a mess. Nothing new."

Dre studied me for a second before leaning forward. "You could relax, you know."

I met his gaze, already knowing what he meant.

And I wanted to.

Because when Dre touched me, it was easy to forget.

I didn't have to think about Wang, or Yu Bin, or the gnawing feeling in my chest that told me my life was about to change again.

So I closed the distance between us.

My hands gripping his waist as I pulled him onto my lap. His touch was rough, impatient, exactly what I needed.

No emotions. No thoughts. Just this.

I take control, he let me strip him down and press him against the couch.

For a while, I let myself drown in him.

In the heat, the hunger, the way his hands moved like he knew exactly how to pull me apart.

And for a moment—just a moment—I forgot everything else.

Afterward, I lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, my body still warm from his touch.

Dre propped himself up on one elbow, watching me. "You good?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

But I wasn't.

Because as soon as the haze faded, the weight in my chest came crashing back.

And I realized nothing had changed.

Dre leaned down, pressing a lazy kiss against my shoulder. "You should call in sick. Stay a little longer."