جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 120

(Amara)“Felix Reid,” I say, stepping up to the front desk. “I’m here to see Felix Reid.”The constable behind the desk looks up at me, his expression neutral, almost bored.“Give me a moment.”I nod and step aside, my fingers curling tightly at my side.He flips through a register, scribbles something down, then reaches for the phone beside him. His voice is low as he speaks into it, words I can’t fully catch.A few seconds pass.Then a minute.Each second stretches longer than it should.“Come with me,” he finally says, standing up.I follow him quietly.We walk past the front desk, through a narrow hallway. The air feels heavier here. Cooler. The faint smell of metal and disinfectant lingers, making my chest tighten.We pass a few closed doors. Voices echo faintly from somewhere deeper inside. A sharp metallic sound rings out in the distance and I flinch slightly, but I keep walking.We stop in front of a small room.He pushes the door open.“Wait here.”The door opens with a creak

(Amara)The moment I step into the office, everything shifts.Conversations lower.Eyes turn.And just like that… I become the center of it all.I feel it before I even fully register it. The weight of their stares. The subtle pointing. The whispers that aren’t quiet enough.“That’s her.”“Amara Reid.”“I heard the couple’s award got cancelled this year because of her and her husband.”My steps slow.Then stop.My fingers tighten around the strap of my bag as their words drift toward me, each one landing heavier than the last.“Yeah. That’s bad. No one even knows what really happened.”“They’re definitely hiding something.”For a second, I just stand there.Frozen.Exposed.Maya’s hand slips into mine, warm and steady.“What are you waiting for?” she says with a soft smile. “Let’s go.”I turn to her.And I smile back.It’s small, but it’s there.Because I see it. The effort in her eyes. The strength she’s forcing into herself for me. Even now… even when this is everything she feared.

(Rayner)I’m still speaking with my mom when I feel it.Her hands on me.I still for a moment—but before I can process it, her body presses against mine.My eyes snap open wide as I turn.“Amara!”My voice rises as I reach for her, catching her just before she hits the ground.But the weight of her pulls me down with her.We fall.My arm wraps around her instantly, pulling her close, shielding her without thinking.“Amara…”My voice drops now, rough, urgent.I shift slightly, trying to steady us both, my hand coming up to her face, gently tapping her cheeks.“Open your eyes. Look at me… come on.”Nothing.The fear creeps in fast. Sharp. Unwelcome.I look up.“Call the office doctor,” I say, my voice tight, controlled—but barely.My mother doesn’t move.Instead, she stares.Like this is entertainment.“What?” she says after a pause. “You’re going to call the office doctor because of her? That’s unnecessary. It’ll draw attention. I’m sure she’s just pretending—”“You’re going to do as I

(Amara)“O.M.G!”My head snaps up.Rita.She’s already staring at me, eyes bright with excitement. “Look who we have here.” She drops into the seat beside me like she’s been waiting for this moment all morning.I force a small smile, even as my mind drifts back to Rayner’s voice from yesterday.Make sure to come to the office today.I shake the thought away, about to respond—“Amara, my goodness, you’re here.”Olivia joins us, sliding her tray onto the table. Her eyes scan my face carefully. “Do you know how worried we’ve been?”She leans in slightly, lowering her voice. “Tell us… what’s really going on?”I pause.“We saw the company doctor go into Sir Rayner’s office,” she continues. “Did something happen?”“Oh please,” Rita cuts in, tapping the table lightly. “Something definitely happened. The way ma’am Helena marched into his office? It was terrifying. I’ve never seen her like that before.”Her gaze sharpens on me.“Did she hurt you?”Her spoon clatters softly against her tray.“W

(Kelvin)I place the flowers carefully among the others, my fingers lingering for a second longer than necessary. My eyes lift to the glass, locking onto their photo.“Mom… Dad…” My voice comes out as a whisper.My fingers curl slowly at my side.The memories do not ask for permission. They come anyway.Laughter filling the house. My mother’s voice calling from the kitchen. My father pretending to complain while stealing food before it was ready. Evenings that felt too short because we were happy.That night.They had come home smiling. Proud. Excited. Talking over each other about topping the couple’s program.Everything was perfect.Until it wasn’t.My chest tightens. My fist clenches as their faces flash through my mind. Then his voice follows, just like it always does.“I’m sorry, son… we won’t be able to watch you grow.”My breath turns hot, uneven.“I promise you,” I whisper, my voice breaking despite me trying to hold it steady. “I will avenge your death.”Movement beside me pu