Someone Else’s Life(58)

“But you must have guessed why we moved here, if you’ve been watching us.” Annie’s tone was accusing.

Serena nodded. “I suspected. But I guess I never thought you’d really leave. You seemed to love the house as much as Danny and I did—I couldn’t imagine that you’d just go.”

“Okay, but how did you know where in Kauai we were?” Annie was trying to piece the puzzle together.

“Um.” Serena looked down and, for the first time, had the grace to look embarrassed. “I used to look in your mailbox.”

“You used to look in our mailbox.” Annie mimicked her and then stared, incredulous that this woman had violated their privacy so much and they’d had no clue. They really were that gullible couple from a true crime show who were just sitting ducks for criminals and stalkers. Annie’s mouth parted slightly, and she shook her head as if that would make all this more believable.

“Yes. I did. And one day, there was a letter from a Samantha Lin from Kapaa in Hawaii. I took a picture of the envelope because I had a feeling the address would come in handy one day.” Serena ran her hand through her auburn curls, pulling on the ends so hard that her hair sprang back when she let go.

“You took a picture of it.” Annie was starting to feel like a parrot, but she couldn’t stop herself from repeating Serena’s words. Maybe if she said it out loud, the words would sink in and make sense.

“Yes.” Serena’s face brightened. “And that’s how I found you here.”

“You found us.” Annie stopped and gave her own cheek a light pat, as if that would stop her from repeating everything the other woman was saying. “I can’t believe this. You looked through our mailbox, took pictures of our mail, and then followed us here? Was that the only mail you took a picture of?”

“No.” Serena’s shoulders lifted slightly, and she pulled her lips together. “I don’t know why I did it. I guess sometimes I pretended those letters were addressed to me, that I knew people in far-off places like Hawaii and Taiwan. But I’m glad I did, because otherwise, I’d never have found you.” She looked at Annie, worry clouding her eyes, as if waiting to see whether Annie would believe her.

“You’d never have found us here.” Annie slapped herself again. Stop. She needed to stop repeating everything Serena said. But she just couldn’t wrap her mind around any of this.

“I’m glad I did because look how much we bonded. Look how much we have in common. It’s like we’re the same person.” Serena looked more like a little girl caught doing something naughty than a potentially dangerous stalker who’d been watching her for years.

Annie couldn’t deny they had bonded over shared experiences and thoughts. She’d felt close to the younger woman. Her breath hitched as a scary thought entered her mind: Did that mean she was as delusional as Serena?





32


Annie’s phone dinged and they both looked at it. It was Sam.

S: The landline is dead. If you need me, you’ll have to use my cell. Hope the cell towers don’t die too.

A: I tried to call earlier.

S: Everything okay?

Annie looked up. No, everything was not okay. She wanted Serena out, but now, something deep inside was telling her Serena wanted something. It was as if she knew Serena’s mind, knew she was leading up to something. That thought scared Annie, even as it held her hostage, unwilling to leave the Ohana until Serena finally spilled out the truth.

If she told Sam she was in danger, within minutes, her sister would be here with a baseball bat, demanding that Serena get out. Sam might be her irritating younger sister who always seemed to poke at Annie’s vulnerable parts, but if anyone threatened one of their family, Sam would fight that person to the death. And right now, Annie needed answers more than a dead body. She would get the truth out of Serena.

A: Yeah. All good, considering this scary storm.

S: We’ll be fine. I hope. LOL

A: Haha

S: Text me if you need anything

A: Okay.

“Are you going to make me leave?” Serena’s question had Annie looking up from her phone. Serena was now seated at the breakfast bar, as if staking her claim. Annie hovered by the couch close enough that she could reach out and grab Serena if she needed.

“Yes. But first you need to tell me why you followed us to Kauai. What you meant when you said that I owe you.”

“But . . .” Serena twisted her fingers together. “I thought we were going to be friends. You were going to show me around Kauai. Take me to places to eat.”

“Really? You think I’m going to be friends with someone who’s been stalking me all these years?”

“I wasn’t. I was just . . . watching you. Watching what my life should have been.” Serena looked close to tears. “I thought you understood. After everything I’ve been through. Losing Johnny, not knowing if I’m to blame. I just want my son back.”

Her eyes pleaded at Annie to understand, and despite herself, Annie could feel her heart relenting slightly. The thing was, she did understand, at least partly. She’d never stalk someone the way Serena had, but all the other things . . . Annie got it. The loneliness, self-blame, that feeling of wanting to disappear . . .

Serena’s eyes filled with tears. “Danny was so mean when we broke up. He kept saying there was something wrong with me, that I needed help. I think he blamed me for Johnny’s death.”