LOGINThe next morning, London welcomed a beautiful sunrise.Soft golden light entered Naomi's apartment through the living room window.The smell of fresh pancakes filled the air.Martha stood in the kitchen, smiling as she flipped another pancake.Leo sat at the dining table with Captain beside his plate.He looked toward the hallway every few seconds."Mama!" he called.Naomi walked out of her room, already dressed for the day."What is it, sweetheart?"Leo grinned."Is Batman coming today?"Naomi smiled."He said he would."Leo clapped his hands happily."I'm going to show him my new drawing."He carefully picked up a folded sheet of paper and placed it on the table."I've been hiding it."Naomi laughed."You've been keeping secrets from me?""It's a surprise."She kissed his forehead."Then I won't look."Just then, the doorbell rang.Leo jumped off his chair."Batman!"He ran toward the door before anyone could stop him."Leo, slow down!" Naomi called.But the little boy had already o
The first light of morning slowly appeared over London.The city was still quiet.Most people were still asleep.Inside a luxury hotel, Valentina stood by the window with her suitcase beside her.She looked one last time at the busy streets below.She had not found all the answers she wanted.But she had learned enough to make her curious.Naomi.That simple woman kept appearing in Lucas's life.Valentina did not understand why.She picked up her phone and looked at the pictures her private investigator had taken.There was Naomi leaving the university.Another picture showed Naomi carrying shopping bags.Another showed her walking with Professor Evans.Then there was the last picture.Naomi holding Leo's hand.Valentina looked at it for a long time."Who are you?" she whispered.Her assistant knocked on the door."Miss Valentina, it's time."Valentina put the phone into her handbag."Let's go."The two of them quietly left the hotel.Before getting into the car, Valentina gave one fi
The black car stayed several cars behind Naomi.Valentina sat quietly in the back seat.She did not want Naomi to notice anything."Keep your distance," she told the driver."Yes, Miss Valentina."The car moved slowly through the busy streets of London.Outside, people walked home from work.Children laughed as they came out of nearby schools.Cyclists rode past buses.It looked like an ordinary afternoon.But Valentina's eyes never left Naomi.Naomi and Professor Evans walked side by side."I still can't believe my painting was accepted," Naomi said.Professor Evans smiled."You should start believing in yourself."Naomi laughed softly."I'm trying.""You've been trying for too long."She looked at him."What do you mean?"He stopped walking for a moment."When you first joined my class, you always apologized.""'I'm sorry if this isn't good enough.'""'I'm sorry if I made a mistake.'""'I'm sorry for asking questions.'"Naomi looked embarrassed."I really said that?"Professor Evans
The morning sky over London was bright and clear.People hurried along the streets with cups of coffee in their hands.Buses stopped every few minutes.Shops opened their doors.The city was full of life.Inside the university art studio, Naomi carefully wrapped one of her paintings.She wanted everything to be perfect.Tomorrow, the gallery would begin arranging the paintings for the International Young Artists Exhibition.Professor Evans walked into the studio with a smile."Good morning, Naomi."She looked up."Good morning, Professor."He stopped beside the painting."Are you excited?"Naomi laughed softly."A little.""A little?"He smiled."I thought you would say very excited."She looked at the painting."I think I'm more nervous than excited."Professor Evans nodded."That is normal.""The best artists are always nervous before an exhibition."Naomi smiled."I hope people like it."Professor Evans looked at her kindly."You are still thinking about what people will say."She
The morning sky over London was bright and clear.People hurried along the streets with cups of coffee in their hands.Buses stopped every few minutes.Shops opened their doors.The city was full of life.Inside the university art studio, Naomi carefully wrapped one of her paintings.She wanted everything to be perfect.Tomorrow, the gallery would begin arranging the paintings for the International Young Artists Exhibition.Professor Evans walked into the studio with a smile."Good morning, Naomi."She looked up."Good morning, Professor."He stopped beside the painting."Are you excited?"Naomi laughed softly."A little.""A little?"He smiled."I thought you would say very excited."She looked at the painting."I think I'm more nervous than excited."Professor Evans nodded."That is normal.""The best artists are always nervous before an exhibition."Naomi smiled."I hope people like it."Professor Evans looked at her kindly."You are still thinking about what people will say."She
The message stayed on Lucas's phone screen."Your bodyguards won't protect them forever."Lucas read it again.His face became serious.He did not reply.He knew whoever sent the message wanted him to panic.Instead, he picked up his phone and called the head of his security team.The call was answered after the second ring."Good evening, Mr. Ashford.""I just received another message.""I guessed you might."Lucas frowned."You expected this?"The man answered calmly."People like this enjoy playing games.""They want fear."Lucas looked out of the window of his penthouse.The city lights shone below him."I don't care about me.""I care about Naomi and Leo.""They are safe," the security chief replied."My men have been watching the apartment from a distance.""They go to school safely.""They return home safely.""No one has gone near them."Lucas let out a small breath."Good.""But I want something else.""What is it, sir?""If anything changes...""I don't want to hear about it







