It was deliberate.A small, sleek device.Black.Unmarked.Bryan reached it first.ââŠThis isnât an attack.âI didnât respond.Because I already knew.âItâs a delivery system,â he added, turning it slightly.The device clicked.ThenâA projection flickered to life.EthanHis image stabilized slowly.Clear.Composed.Watching.âGood,â he said calmly.âAs expected.âDominic stepped forward.Blocking the view.âYou donât get toâââRelax,â Ethan cut in.His tone didnât rise.Didnât shift.âIf I wanted you deadâŠâA pause.ââŠthis wouldnât be a message.âNot a ThreatâA DeclarationThe air changed.Subtly.But completely.âYouâve been playing very carefully, Roselyn,â Ethan continued.I stepped around Dominic.Met the projection directly.âYouâve been predictable,â I replied.A faint pause.ThenâThe smallest shift in his expression.âNot anymore.âThe DifferenceHe moved slightly within the frame.âYou relied on patterns,â he said.âOn memory.âMy gaze didnât break.âYou thought you could sta
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