登入Anna's POVThe KnockNobody moves.Nobody speaks.Nobody even looks away from the photograph.The PhotographMrs. Alvarez.Elena.Marcus.Standing together.Smiling.Five years ago.And Outside The DoorThe real Mrs. Alvarez waits in the hallway.---My HeartBeats painfully hard.---Mrs. Alvarez's VoiceWarm.Familiar.Completely normal.---> "Xavier? Anna? I made tea."---SilenceThe room feels like it's stopped breathing.---DominicSlowly looks toward the door.---ClaraSlowly looks toward the door.---XavierLooks absolutely terrifying.---My ThoughtsOh no.---Because Xavier is angry.Not explosive anger.Not loud anger.---WorseControlled anger.---The Dangerous Kind---Xavier Takes The PhotographFolding it carefully.---ThenSlides it back into the file.---My ConfusionWhy is he hiding it?---Xavier Meets My EyesAnd immediately I understand.---Not YetHe doesn't want her to know we know.---SmartVery smart.---Xavier's VoiceCalm.Perfectly calm.---Xav
Anna's POV---SilenceThe room freezes.Completely.---ClaraStops just inside the doorway.One hand still resting on the handle.Her eyes immediately landing on the paper.---The PaperThe one with her name written across it.---CLARA BENNETT---My HeartDrops instantly.---Because This Looks BadVery bad.---Clara Reads The RoomIn approximately two seconds.---Her Eyes MoveTo the paper.To Xavier.To Dominic.To me.---Then Back To The Paper---Clara"...I feel like I missed something."---SilenceNobody laughs.---Which MeansThis is serious.---Clara Notices ImmediatelyOf course she does.---Clara"What happened?"---XavierCold.Controlled.Dangerously unreadable.---Xavier"We found Elena's file."---Clara Goes Still---My ThoughtsInteresting.---Because She Knows Who Elena Was.---Clara"How?"---Dominic"It was delivered to the mansion."---Clara's Eyes NarrowImmediately.---ThenThey move back to the paper.---Her NameStill sitting there.Waiting
Xavier's POVSilenceNobody speaks.Nobody moves.Nobody breathes.The LetterThe words remain on the page.Burning themselves into my mind.> The traitor works inside Cortez Industries.ImpossibleAnd yet—Not impossible enough.Five Years AgoI trusted people I shouldn't have trusted.Believed reports I shouldn't have believed.Accepted conclusions I should have questioned.---ElenaNever did.---That's what made her dangerous.---Beside MeAnna rereads the final line slowly.Carefully.---Her Voice"You believe her."---TruthImmediate.Absolute.---Xavier"Yes."---SilenceThe room grows even quieter.---BecauseIf Elena was telling the truth—Then someone inside my company helped bury her death.---WorseThat person may still be there.---Dominic"We need to verify the letter."---My Eyes LiftGood.A rational response.---Dominic Continues"Handwriting.""Paper age.""Ink analysis."---TruthAny other day, I would agree.---TonightI already know.---My Voice"It'
Anna's POV---The DoorNobody moves.Nobody breathes.Nobody speaks.---The HallwayThe old wooden door at the end of the corridor slowly swings inward.By itself.---My HeartBeats so hard it actually hurts.---Beside MeXavier's arm tightens around my waist instantly.Pulling me slightly behind him.---My ThoughtsProtective husband mode activated.Again.---Xavier"Stay behind me."---My Eyes NarrowImmediately.---My Voice"No."---SilenceHe turns his head slowly.---Xavier"No?"---My Voice"If somebody breaks into your house, I'm not hiding behind you while you investigate horror-movie noises."---The Look He Gives MeSuggests he's reconsidering every life choice that brought us here.---Xavier"Anna."---My Response"No."---Xavier"You're impossible."---My Smile"That's rich coming from you."---Dominic's VoiceCrackles through the phone.---Dominic"Can you both argue after we identify the potential threat?"---Silence---My ThoughtsFair.---Xavier Beg
Xavier's POV---The AlertThe sound echoes through the study.Sharp.Relentless.Wrong.---SECURITY BREACH DETECTED---My Blood Turns ColdNot because someone entered the property.Because of the timing.---The Messages.The Photograph.Marcus.The cameras.---And now this.---Not CoincidenceNever coincidence.---AnnaI immediately move toward her.Instinct.Nothing else.---My Hand Finds HersFirm.Certain.Protective.---Anna's VoiceQuiet.Steady.Far calmer than most people would be.---Anna"What's happening?"---TruthI don't know.And I hate not knowing.---My Voice"Stay with me."---Her Eyes SoftenJust slightly.---Anna"I wasn't planning to run away."---Despite EverythingA small smile almost appears.Almost.---Not Tonight---My Phone RingsDominic.Again.---I Answer Immediately---Xavier"Report."---SilenceThen—---Dominic"Motion sensors activated near the east garden."---My Jaw Tightens---Dominic Continues"Security teams are moving now."-
Anna's POV---ImpossibleNobody speaks.Nobody moves.Nobody breathes.---The StudyThe silence inside the room becomes unbearable.Heavy.Sharp.Wrong.---XavierIs staring at the photograph like the world just tilted beneath his feet.---My HeartI've never seen him look like this before.Not during the contract leak.Not during the boardroom scandal.Not even when Madison tried to destroy us.---This Is DifferentThis isn't anger.This isn't frustration.---This is fear.---Real Fear.---My Voice"Xavier."Soft.Careful.---He Doesn't RespondNot immediately.---His Eyes Remain Locked On The ImageAs if looking away might somehow make it disappear.---My PulseRacing.---SlowlyI move closer.Close enough to see the photo clearly.---The FigureA man.Standing near the road.Watching the mansion.---Smiling.---My Blood Runs ColdBecause Xavier is right.The smile feels intentional.---Like a message.---Like a warning.---My Voice"You know him."---SilenceThe







