Warnings From A Fox

The rain had finally stopped by the time Naomi reached her office that morning, but the grayness hadn’t lifted.

The city looked washed-out through the tall windows; slick streets, blurred cars, and a sky still heavy with clouds that refused to break.

The kind of morning that made her feel small, like the world had quietly moved on while she stood still.

She’d come in early, hoping the work would distract her. It didn’t. She ran into Damon instead and tossed the divorce papers in his face.

That was what she wanted right? Why did it feel so hollow?

Her desk was littered with reports and proposals, her laptop still open to a half-finished email, but she couldn’t focus. Her head throbbed faintly, a lingering side effect of the explosion and the faint smell of burnt metal still lingered in her mind, no matter how much she tried to shake it.

She had tried not to think about Damon, but that was like trying not to breathe. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw his face.

The look of panic when he saw her covered in ash and blood, the way his voice broke when he called her name. And the look in his eyes when she mentioned divorce…

She hated that she still felt anything at all.

Her pen slipped from her fingers, clattering against the glass table. She rubbed her temples, sighing quietly.

The sound of heels clicking against the marble floor pulled her from her thoughts. Naomi looked up and froze.

It was Amanda.

Her cousin stood in the doorway, clutching her purse like it was the only thing holding her together. She was pale, nervous, her usually perfect hair slightly disheveled.

Naomi blinked in surprise, what the hell is she doing here?

“Amanda?” she said carefully. “Well, that is unexpected. Here to gloat about my current situation?”

Amanda stepped in, shutting the door behind her. Her movements were jittery, restless. “That would have been the case if the scenario weren't so twisted. I came to see you.”

Naomi frowned. “ See me? I didn't know we were buds.”

“We aren't.” Amanda cut in, her voice sharp but trembling. “I shouldn't be here in the first place but here I am.”

Something in her tone made Naomi pause. She gestured toward the seat across from her desk. “Fine. Sit.”

Amanda did but she didn’t relax. Her eyes darted around the office, like she was afraid someone might be listening. Then, in a low voice, she said, “I know what my mother and Uncle Jack are planning.”

Naomi’s brows knit together. “Your mother and Jack?” she repeated, uncertain whether to be confused or amused. “ What is this about?”

Amanda leaned forward, her hands trembling. “You think the flash drive was an accident, don’t you? That Jack just wanted to scare you? He didn’t.”

Naomi’s stomach tightened. “I'm aware.”

“I’m saying,” Amanda whispered, her eyes wide, “that Jack knew exactly what that drive would do. And my mother helped him.”

The words hit Naomi like a bucket of ice water. She knew Clara was a bitch but never had she thought it would go this far..

For a moment, she just stared at Amanda, unable to speak. Then she shook her head slowly.

“No. No, that doesn’t make sense. Aunt Clara might be controlling, she might be manipulative, but she wouldn’t…”

“She would,” Amanda interrupted, voice breaking. “You don’t know her the way I do. She’s obsessed with the Pearl inheritance. Always has been. She thinks it’s her right because she’s Aaron’s eldest sister. She’s been scheming with Jack for months.”

Naomi’s heart began to race, her pulse pounding in her ears.

Amanda swallowed hard. “They think if you’re gone, the entire Pearl estate reverts to the surviving relatives. To her, and to Jack. They’ve already falsified documents that show you were unstable. Jack said once you ‘had an accident,’ no one would question it.”

The room spun.

Naomi rose slowly from her seat, her fingers gripping the edge of the desk. “You’re lying.”

“I’m not!” Amanda said desperately. “Why do you think I’m here? Do you have any idea what she’d do to me if she found out I came to warn you?”

Naomi’s voice dropped, calm. “And you just so happen to care so much about me that you decided to stop by and warn me. Is that it?”

Amanda blinked. “What?”

“Why tell me now?” Naomi said, stepping around the desk. “What's in it for you?”

Amanda’s brows furrowed. “ Nothing! I still hate your guts and I still despise our grandparents for treating you like you were their only grandchild but I am not a monster. I didn’t know how far they’d go. I thought it was just about the money. I thought..” She broke off, shaking her head. “But after the explosion, after I saw what they were capable of… I couldn’t keep quiet anymore.”

Naomi studied her, trying to find any hint of deceit in her cousin’s face but all she saw was fear.

Amanda looked up at her, voice cracking. “They want you dead. This isn’t a game anymore.”

Naomi felt her knees weaken. She backed away, gripping the side of her desk for balance. Her breath came shallow. She pressed a hand to her mouth, the reality settling in like poison. Her father’s family, her own blood, wanted her dead.

Her father’s brother. Her aunt.

The silence in the room was deafening. Even the hum of the air conditioner seemed distant, unreal.

Naomi finally spoke. “So what am I supposed to do, Amanda? Hide? Run? Pretend I didn’t just hear that my family wants to kill me?”

Amanda wiped her tears, voice firm. “No. You need protection.”

Naomi gave a short, humorless laugh. “And who exactly am I supposed to trust? You?”

“I don't want your trust. It's of no use to me. As a matter of fact, I would use it to my advantage. The only one whose intentions have been purely to keep you safe isn't even family.”

Naomi froze. She didn’t need to ask who. She turned sharply, anger flashing in her eyes. “Don’t.”

Amanda shrugs. “It's the truth. I heard you two had a fight recently? You're playing right into Jack's hands.”

Naomi chuckled. “And I'm supposed to believe you?"

“Or don't. That's up to you. I'm here to clear my conscience. Cause if those two old fools mess this up or get caught, I don't have to do jail time with them..”

Amanda leans back on her seat. “Jack won’t move openly while Damon’s watching. He’s the only one strong enough to fight back.”

Naomi’s voice rose, sharp and trembling. “He’s the reason I’m in this mess! Do you have any idea what he’s done? He lied to me! He took everything my father left for me. He used me. And now you’re telling me to trust him?”

Amanda sighs. “Then don't. Divorce him so Jack can get everything that ought to be yours.” She folded her arm. “At least I would have a chance with Damon then.”

Naomi arched a questioning eyebrow. “What?”

Amanda leaned on the table. “If you finalise those divorce papers, Damon had no legal right to own Pearl Holdings and everything that your father owned that ought to be yours will be taken away from you.”

Naomi chuckled, how is she supposed to know that she's saying the truth?

“Again, don't believe a word I say. It's going to end up in my favour anyway.”

“You…”

Amanda’s eyes softened. “But it’s the only thing standing between you and a grave.”

The words sent a chill down Naomi’s spine.

For a long moment, she said nothing. The ticking clock on the wall seemed deafening.

Naomi walked to the window, pressing her palm against the cool glass. The city glistened below, so full of life while hers was quietly crumbling.

When she finally spoke, her voice was quiet, almost detached. “If what you’re saying is true…”

Amanda cuts in. “It is true. The only person you have in your concern is Damon. Ask Reed if you don't believe me. It's highline you know the truth.”

Naomi’s throat felt dry, she's had enough of this conversation. “You should go. Before anyone sees you here.”

Amanda didn’t move at first. “Fine.” She nodded, backing toward the door. She hesitated one last time, her voice barely a whisper. “He really does love you, you know. Damon.”

Naomi looked away. “That doesn’t matter anymore.”

“It should. I've known him longer than you have and not even I can get him to behave so recklessly.”

And then she was gone, leaving the faint scent of her perfume and a silence that felt heavier than before.

Naomi sank back into her chair, staring blankly at the door.

Her chest ached. Her hands were trembling. She couldn’t tell if it was fear or rage or heartbreak. Maybe all three tangled together.

She thought of her father’s smile, the way he used to say family protects its own.

What a lie that had turned out to be.

She wanted to scream. To cry. To hit something. But she couldn’t. All she could do was sit there, numb, as the weight of Amanda’s warning sank deeper and deeper.

They want you dead.

The words wouldn’t stop echoing.

She looked down at her phone, Damon’s name on the screen where she’d been hovering for nearly ten minutes. Her thumb trembled.

Amanda’s voice replayed in her mind; He’s the only one in your corner.

Naomi closed her eyes, took a shaky breath, and finally set the phone down.

She couldn’t call him. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

But even as she turned away, a part of her knew Amanda was right.

And that terrified her more than anything.