MasukFernando’s POVThe kitchen felt strangely quiet.The only sounds came from the refrigerator humming softly in the background and the occasional ticking of the clock on the wall.Michael stared at me, still shocked, still trapped between me and the sink. His chest rose and fell a little faster than normal and I hated how much I noticed things like that.I still wanted him so much."Fernando" he started, his voice soundeding tired.Like he had spent the entire day carrying the weight of everyone else's problems and maybe he had.I sighed. The frustration I'd been carrying for weeks settled heavily in my chest."You think I'm lying" I said.Michael folded his arms."I think you're being Fernando" he replied. I almost laughed."What does that mean?""It means you say whatever benefits you" he answered.That one stung, more than I wanted to admit.I looked away briefly then back at him."That's not fair" I said.Michael shook his head."Neither was disappearing for years" he shot back the
Michael’s POVI stood in the kitchen wearing an old T-shirt and sweatpants, staring blankly at the refrigerator while holding a glass of water.My mind felt exhausted and Henry's words kept replaying inside my head.I rubbed my forehead.Maybe I was overthinking things, maybe I wasn't. Either way, my brain refused to stop.I took a sip of water and turned around then immediately walked into one of the cabinet doors I had forgotten was open."Ow!"Pain shot through my head and my hand flew to my forehead, right where I had already been injured earlier."Fantastic."I leaned against the counter as the throbbing became worse. When I pulled my hand away, I saw a small smear of blood."Seriously?"I sighed. Apparently today wasn't finished punishing me.I walked toward the utility drawer and grabbed the first-aid kit.A few minutes later I was standing in front of the kitchen sink trying to inspect the injury through the reflection in the dark window.It wasn't serious, just very annoying.
Theo's POVI hated hospitals, I hated the smell, I hated the white walls and most of all, I hated the fact that I was stuck in one while Fernando Ramirez was somewhere out there breathing freely.My jaw tightened as I stared out the window beside my hospital bed.Normally, I would have appreciated the view but today, all I could think about was Michael.He was out there while I was trapped in this room. The thought alone was enough to make my blood pressure rise.A knock sounded on the door but before I could answer, the doctor walked inside carrying a tablet.The moment I saw him, I already knew what was coming."Theo.""You came here to tell me I can't leave" I said before he could continue talking. The doctor sighed."Because you can't" he said."I can.""You absolutely cannot.""I feel fine" I argued. The doctor looked at me like I was an idiot."You were nearly blown apart.""I've had worse" I said."That doesn't make me feel better."I folded my arms and the movement immediate
Michael’s POVI barely had time to process what had happened. One second, Fernando's hand had been around my waist. The next, Henry was standing between us, absolutely furious.The force with which he had opened the door still echoed through the room and before either Fernando or I could say anything, Henry marched forward and pushed Fernando backward."Henry!" I exclaimed.Fernando stumbled half a step and immediately frowned."What the hell—""No!" Henry pointed at both of us.The anger in his voice surprised even me. Kim appeared behind him in the doorway looking horrified."Henry" she called but Henry wasn't listening. His eyes were fixed on Fernando."Stop" Henry said.Fernando folded his arms."Stop what?"Henry laughed bitterly."You know exactly what" he replied. I stood awkwardly between them. My heart was still racing from what had almost happened moments earlier."Henry," I said carefully.His voice softened immediately when he looked at me."Dad, please" he said.Fernando
Fernando's POVThe atmosphere in the house remained tense long after the confrontation with Henry.I sat alone in the living room for a while after Henry disappeared upstairs. The house itself was nice, nothing like the massive estates I owned back in New York. This place actually felt lived in with photographs sat on shelves, books stacked carelessly on tables and a blanket had been tossed over the couch.There was evidence of life everywhere. Evidence of years I had missed."You're staring at that picture again."Michael's voice pulled me from my thoughts and I turned to see he was standing in the hallway, arms crossed watching me.I glanced back toward the photograph I had been looking at. It was Henry, maybe ten years old standing beside Michael both smiling.Neither aware they were being photographed so it was genuine moment."He's grown" I said.Michael softened slightly."Yeah."A brief silence followed then he nodded toward the hallway."Come on."I stood."Where are we going
Michael's POVI still didn't know what had possessed me. Even as I sat behind the steering wheel and drove toward my house, I couldn't figure it out.Maybe it was the explosion. Maybe it was seeing Fernando throw himself over me without hesitation.Maybe it was the fact that Marlo was free again and the world suddenly felt far more dangerous than it had twenty-four hours ago.Or maybe I was simply tired of fighting and pretending Fernando wasn't still a huge part of my life.Whatever the reason was, I had somehow invited Fernando to stay at my house.The realization hit me again and I groaned. Fernando was sitting in the passenger seat then immediately, he smirked."What?" He asked."Nothing.""You groaned.""I know.""Why?"I glanced at him."Because I'm questioning my life choices" I replied. His grin widened."Too late now."I rolled my eyes."Don't get comfortable " I told him."Michael—""We need to establish rules" I cut him short.Fernando immediately looked offended."I don't
Marlo’s POVThe engine hummed beneath me like a predator waiting to strike.I gripped the steering wheel of the black car, my knuckles white, my jaw tight. Beside me, Anabelle’s sharp eyes scanned the parking lot of the motel with the precision of a hawk. Every car, every shadow, every movement re
Marlo’s POVI had never sat in Fernando’s chair before, not once, not even as a joke, not even when he wasn’t in the room.That's how much I respected him.That chair had always felt sacred, like it carried a presence even when it was empty. It felt like Fernando’s spirit lived in the leather and w
By the time the gas station came into view, the world had narrowed to three things and i could only recognise the wet heat soaking through my trousers, the dull roar in my ears, and the way Ashley kept glancing at me like she was afraid I would disappear if she looked away for too long.The big, br
Michael's POV The safe house stayed behind us, quiet and deceptively peaceful, nestled between tall trees and silence. The main road stretched ahead of us while we thought how we would get to our destination. Cars passed occasionally, most of them moving too fast to notice two people standing at







