My blood ran cold when I heard my real name escape his lips.

How did he know?

I had never once told him my name and I was sure that I hadn't slipped up.

He grinned as he picked up a notebook nearby and threw it onto the bed. "On come on, don't be afraid now Aaliyah. Talk to me."

He stared at the notebook with a smile plastered on his face. When I made no move to pick up any of the items he had taken out for me he snapped.

"Write!" He screamed.

I jumped in my spot and crawled to the pen and notepad. When I finished writing the note I immediately stepped away from him. I wanted to sprint out of the door but I needed answers.

"How long have I known who you were..." He read. "Well honestly since the first day you came here. Before you ask how I'll answer it for you. It's because I'm not an idiot.

You also have a very unique writing style, it doesn't take a genius. Besides don't you think I spent enough time with you to know little facts about you? You and Janelle had a bit too much in common."

I'm so stupid.

I had grown comfortable enough with Cater that I had stopped trying to be cautious with my identity.

I walked over to the notebook and picked up the pen once again.

He quickly read what I wrote and smiled. "I didn't plan on killing your mother. I liked her but when I realized that you were back, I couldn't help myself."

Again that was my fault. If I had been more careful, Carter wouldn't have realized it was me and my mother could've remained alive. What am I saying? I shouldn't have even gone into his house.

I scribbled another question onto the paper and sat back.

"Why you?" He asked with a scoff as he looked at what I had written. "It wasn't always you. At first, I wanted Lizzie but the night you caught me in her room, you had my complete focus. I had fallen in love with you from a distance and you could only imagine my surprise when Elijah brought you home."

Pieces of my memory began drifting in. Memories fell into place in their timeline and my previously fractured memory was completely intact.

I remembered all the moments Carter and I had shared as I cried silently. The red flags that I ignored because I loved him flashed through my mind in a reel of all the ways I failed to see the truth.

Before Carter could utter another word his bedroom door burst open and Elijah stepped in.

I gasped as I saw him looking healthy and well right in front of us.

"Carter. You need to come downstairs. The police are here for you."

Carter ignored his statement and crossed his arms, a Cheshire grin appearing across his face. "How did you figure it out?"

"Because you're a shit name picker," Elijah said and I watched Carter's jaw clench. "Why would you name yourself after a character you rant on and on about?"

Carter laughed and slapped his forehead a few times. "I suppose I could've been a bit more...creative."

"A lot more." Elijah deadpanned. "What I don't understand is why you did it."

Carter threw himself back onto the bed and sighed. "She was about to leave me, for you. I wasn't going to have that."

"You know she would have chosen you in the end," Elijah said.

Carter raised himself on his elbows and tilted his head at Elijah. "You think so?" He asked.

"I know so."

"Why don't we ask her?" Carter said with a grin.

Elijah looked at Carter in confusion and Carter picked up the notepad and cleared his throat.

"Oh, the spirit of Aaliyah, bless us with your presence and tell us who you would have chosen." He chanted with his eyes closed.

I remained firmly in my spot as I looked between the two brothers.

He peeked open one eye and his smile dropped. "I would hate to have to drive all the way to 18747 Applewood Road to kill Lizzie and your grandmother, Aaliyah. 5..4...3-"

Before he could finish counting down I grabbed the pen from his hand and wrote down my answer.

When I was finished I dropped the pen and stood back.

Carter flipped the notebook to himself and smirked as he held it up to Elijah. Elijah seemed distracted as he looked around the room rampantly, no doubt searching for me.

Carter's jaw clenched as he waited for Elijah's response. Growing irritated with his silence, Carter threw the notebook against the floor and shot up from the bed.

"She chose you, like always." Carter spat.

Elijah nodded slowly but remained quiet.

"You can leave Elijah, the police have no evidence." He said with a chuckle.

"You truly believe I've been in a coma all this time?" Elijah asked with a scoff. "I woke up weeks ago but I worked with the police department to help bring you in. I pretended to be in a coma and they bugged my room. Every day you would come by and brag about all your kills like an idiot. All your confessions, are on tape."

Carter looked at Elijah for a long moment before he burst out into laughter. "Wow, you got me." He said sarcastically.

He held out his wrists and took a deep breath. "Take me in."

When Elijah turned to the door to alert the officers downstairs. I watched Carter pull out a gun and held it up to Elijah's back.

Knowing what was about to happen I pushed myself into Carter, making him stumble into his closet as the bullet hit a few feet above Elijah's head.

Elijah looked back at Carter and scoffed as he looked down at him. "Thank you, Aaliyah."

Carter made a move to reach for the gun once again but I kicked it away and watched as the room suddenly filled with police officers.

They lifted Carter from the floor and immediately detained him as they read him his Miranda rights. As he left through the door Carter just smiled at Elijah.

I remained alone in the room with Elijah and he looked around nervously. He opened his mouth to say something but I pulled him into a tight hug.

He breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed in my hold. "I'm moving to New York." He said. "I got a meeting with a record label out there, I'm not giving up."

I hugged him tighter as a tear fell down my cheek and I realized that this would be goodbye.

"I love you, Aaliyah."

I love you too.

I cupped his cheeks as I kissed his forehead, his nose, and finally his lips. He smiled at the gesture and I slowly tore my arms away from him.

I used my arms to turn his body to the door. When his back was facing me I took a deep breath as I leaned my head against this sculpted back.

This was about to be one of the hardest things I had ever done. I took another inhale of his scent and on my exhale I pushed him out of the room.

He stumbled through the door and caught himself on the opposite wall to Carter's room. He laughed as he composed himself and leaned his back against the wall, facing me through the door frame.

His eyes watered as he looked in my direction but a smile remained on his face. I smiled back at him and wrapped my arms around myself to keep from crying.

"Come to one of my shows if I ever make it." He said with a laugh. "I'll save you a seat in the front row."

I laughed at his words and shook my head. I didn't even know if I would still be around to see one of his shows but I hoped he'd still save me a seat.

He got up off the wall and smiled at me once more as a tear tracked down his beautiful face.

"Goodbye, Aaliyah."

Bye Elijah.