Chapter 13: Shadows of the Past

The room fell silent as Alex's phone rang, shattering the tranquility that had enveloped us. He glanced at the screen, his expression turning grim as he recognized the caller. It was Mr. Smith, Johnson's father—the man who held the power to make our lives a living hell.

"Alex, my boy," Mr. Smith's voice seeped through the speaker with a venomous tone. "I see you don't want to finish what your family left off. I will make you suffer, and your little girlfriend too."

The threat hung in the air, casting a dark cloud over our hopes of a peaceful future. Alex's gaze hardened, and I could see a flicker of determination in his eyes. He made a decision, one that would require him to confront his past and embrace the persona he had tried so hard to leave behind.

"I won't let him harm you or our loved ones," Alex said, his voice laced with determination. "I'm going to protect you, Andrea, no matter the cost."

Together, we faced the daunting task of revealing the truth to my parents. We knew the