ログインMichael’s POVMorning didn’t feel like morning anymore, not the kind that came with peace or ease or even something as simple as routine.No, this morning came with tension, ssilence that felt too loud and eyes that never stopped watching.I stood by the window, the curtain barely drawn aside, my gaze fixed on the street outside as cars passed, one after another.My fingers tightened slightly against the fabric.“Anything?” Nick’s voice came from behind me.I didn’t turn.“Nothing yet,” I replied quietly.Ashley sighed from across the room, where she stood near the couch, her arms folded tightly over her chest.“You’ve said that ten times already,” she muttered.“And I’ll say it ten more if I have to,” I said, finally glancing back at her.Her eyes met mine, frustrated and tired but underneath all that was worry.We all were.“I don’t like this,” she added.“I know.”Nick moved closer to the window, peering past me.“They’re not here,” he said.“That doesn’t mean they won’t come,” I r
Theo’s POVI moved to grab her phone but Kim shot her arm in front of me, telling me not to come any closer.She stood in the kitchen, arms crossed now, her phone still in her hand, her eyes locked on mine with a stubbornness that felt far too familiar.“You’re not calling Henry,” I said, my voice lower now.She tilted her head slightly.“And you’re not telling me the truth,” she shot back.I exhaled slowly, forcing my hands to relax at my sides.“Kim—”“No, you don’t get to brush this off” she interrupted, her tone sharper now.I clenched my jaw slightly.“I’m not brushing anything off.”“You are, you’ve been acting strange for days” she insisted. “That’s your imagination.”“It’s not. You’re asking questions about Michael, Henry and things that don’t concern you” she said firmly. “This does concern me,” I said.“How?” she demanded.I hesitated just for a fraction of a second but she saw it.Her eyes narrowed slightly.“See? You can’t even answer” she said. “I don’t need to explain
Theo’s POVI leaned back slightly in my chair, letting my fingers rest loosely against the stem of my glass.“And that’s everything?” I asked casually.She hesitated just briefly then nodded.“Yes… I believe so.”I held her gaze for a moment longer then I gave a small nod.“Thank you for tonight,” I said.She smiled again, clearly pleased with herself.“Well, you've been a great host” she said.We sat in a brief silence after that. I needed to end this without raising suspicion or making it obvious that this entire evening had been… intentional.She tilted her head slightly, studying me.“You’re very interested in them,” she said.I didn’t react immediately, just took a slow sip of my wine, letting the pause stretch naturally.“Am I?” I asked lightly.She smiled, but there was curiosity behind it now.“Yes, more than most neighbors would be” she said.I let out a quiet chuckle.“Maybe I’m just trying to understand them better.”“Why?”I met her gaze. Answering that question wrong woul
Theo’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the cuff of my sleeve with deliberate precision. The fabric of my suit sat perfectly against my body, expensive without being loud.My reflection stared back at me, composed and calm but beneath it, I could feel the tension still lingering.I exhaled slowly, rolling my shoulders once before straightening.“No emotions, just answers” I muttered under my breath. The doorbell rang and a faint smirk touched my lips.“Perfect.”I made my way through the house, my footsteps slow, unhurried. Every movement intentional. By the time I reached the door, the mask was already in place.“Mrs. Hansley,” I greeted warmly when I opened the door.She stood there in a modest but carefully chosen outfit, her smile bright, almost eager.“Oh, Theo, you look… wonderful” she said, her voice laced with excitement. I let my smile widen just slightly.“And you look lovely as always.”Her cheeks flushed faintly.“Well, thank you.”I stepped aside, gesturing
Michael’s POVDinner had come and gone, though “dinner” felt like the wrong word for it.No one really ate. We picked at food, moved things around our plates, tried to act normal but failed.The clink of cutlery sounded louder than it should have.Henry sat across from me, pushing his food around absentmindedly.“You’re not eating,” I said.“I’m trying,” he replied.“That’s not trying.”He sighed, dropping his fork.“Can you blame me?”No, I couldn’t.But I didn’t say that.“You’ll need your strength,” I said instead.“For what?” he asked quietly.The question hung in the air and no one answered immediately because we all knew but none of us wanted to say it out loud.“For whatever comes next,” Ashley said finally.Henry gave a small nod, though it didn’t look like it comforted him much. Nick leaned back slightly in his chair, his eyes shifting toward Luca.“So, what’s the plan?” he asked.Luca set his glass down carefully before responding.“The plan is simple.”“That’s usually a bad
Michael’s POVFor a moment, no one moved but then Henry broke it.“Luca!”Before anyone could stop him, Henry rushed forward, closing the distance in seconds and throwing his arms around him.Luca’s posture relaxed just enough for one hand to come up and rest briefly on Henry’s back.“You’ve grown,” Luca said, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it.Henry pulled back, a small smile breaking through his tension.“It’s been a while,” he said.“Yes, too long” Luca replied, studying him closely. Henry stepped back, still smiling faintly.“When did you get here?” he asked.“Not long ago,” Luca answered.“And you just came straight here?”“Yes.”Henry nodded, satisfied, but I wasn’t, not even close because Luca didn’t “just show up", not without reason.“Why are you here?” I asked.My voice cut through the moment and Luca’s gaze shifted to me.“I heard you’ve been busy,” he said.“That’s not an answer.”“It’s the beginning of one.”Ashley stepped forward slightly.“We don’t have time for
Fernando’s POV The morning felt almost too peaceful.I sat at the small wooden table in the safe house kitchen, the aroma of scrambled eggs, toasted bread, and Henry’s overly sweet coffee drifting lazily in the air.Henry put his fork on a piece of pancake onto his plate, humming something cheerfu
Michael’s POV I blinked slowly, light filtering through the curtains. The air smelled like disinfectant mixed with something floral, I think. My body ached, but the sharp, gut‑wrenching agony from the hospital wasn't there anymore.Healing, finally, at least physically.Emotionally? Mentally? Yeah
Fernando’s POV I had no idea where to start.I stood in the middle of the safehouse living room, staring at maps, scribbled notes, and the half-empty cup of whiskey in my hand as if any of them would magically reveal Ashley’s location. “Think, Fernando,” I muttered to myself.I dragged my hands d
Ashley’s POV I still couldn’t believe my ears.For a moment I could only stare at Nick, frozen in the doorway of my bedroom, as if the entire conversation had sucked the air around us. His voice still echoed in my skull, sharp and ugly, replaying like a curse.My heart thundered against my ribs,