“Did you hear that?”Elara sat up abruptly, her fingers gripping the edge of the couch as her eyes scanned the darkened room. The house was quiet, too quiet—no hum of appliances, no distant traffic, just the soft breathing of the children asleep in the next room.Liam was already on his feet.“I heard it,” he said, voice low, controlled. “Stay here.”“I’m not staying alone,” Elara replied instantly, standing to follow him.He turned, meeting her gaze. For a brief second, fear flickered there—then resolve. “Fine. But stay behind me.”They moved down the hallway together, every step measured. Liam pushed the bedroom door open slowly. Nothing. Just shadows and the faint outline of furniture. He checked the window—locked. Curtains undisturbed.“Maybe it was just the house,” Elara whispered, though her heart refused to calm.“Maybe,” Liam said, but his hand remained clenched.They returned to the living room, the tension refusing to dissipate. Elara sank back onto the couch, drawing her kn
Last Updated : 2026-01-27 Read more