All Chapters of Never Meant to be Seen : Chapter 101 - Chapter 110

The courtroom didn't settle for several minutes after Danielle's revelation. The judge repeatedly struck the gavel, demanding silence while reporters whispered among themselves and lawyers leaned towards one another in urgent conversations. Arlo remained beside me, but his attention was fixed on Danielle as though he was waiting for her to take back every word she had just spoken. “My father,” he whispered again. I looked at him. “You didn't know?” He shook his head. “No.” His voice sounded different. Not angry. Not yet. Just wounded. The prosecutor returned to the witness stand. “Ms. Marsh, you stated that Arlo Alfie's father was involved in the operation.” “Yes.” “Can you identify him?” “Yes.” “Is he present in this courtroom?” Danielle looked towards the gallery. “No.” The prosecutor frowned. “When was the last time you saw him?” “Before the yacht.” “Where?” “At one of Konstantin's properties.” “Which property?” “I don't know the official address.” “Can yo

Arlo didn't say another word after reading the message. He simply stood there with his phone in his hand, staring at the screen as though the words might rearrange themselves if he looked long enough. I knew what he was thinking because I'd been thinking the same thing since his father disappeared. “If you go, you're walking into a trap,” I said. “I know.” “And if you don't go, he threatens my immunity.” “I know.” “You keep saying that.” “Because I don't have a better answer.” He slipped his phone into his pocket. “I have to meet him.” I stepped in front of him. “No.” “Sofia.” “No.” He looked at me. “I can't let you walk into this alone.” “That is exactly what he wants.” “He already knows that.” “And that's why I'm going.” I shook my head. “You don't know what he's holding over you.” “Neither do you.” “Exactly.” He ran a hand through his hair. “If I don't go, we could lose everything we've built.” “If you go, you could lose your life.” “He's my father.” “Tha

Arlo's eyes stayed on me for a long moment before he looked away, and somehow that hurt more than if he had shouted. I stepped fully into the warehouse, closing the door behind me, while his father watched the two of us with an expression I couldn't read. The papers on the table suddenly felt heavier than anything else in the room. “You followed me.” It wasn't a question. I swallowed. “Yes.” Arlo's jaw tightened. “I told you not to.” “I know.” “You could have been hurt.” “So could you.” “This isn't the same.” “It is to me.” His father looked between us. “You're Sofia.” I turned towards him. “Yes.” “I've heard quite a lot about you.” “I doubt any of it was good.” A faint smile touched his lips. “Konstantin rarely had good things to say about people who threatened his control.” Arlo stepped between us. “Don't.” His father raised his hands slightly. “I wasn't insulting her.” “You've done enough.” Arlo turned back towards the table. He picked up the photograph ag

The first thing Arlo did after the car disappeared was run after it, as though sheer determination could somehow make his legs faster than an engine. Two officers caught him before he reached the road, grabbing his arms while he fought against them. “Let me go,” he snapped, his voice breaking with panic. “That's my father, and he has Ava.” I had never seen Arlo look that frightened before. The police vehicles were already moving, their sirens cutting through the night as they chased after the car. Another officer spoke rapidly into his radio, giving the description of the vehicle while a second unit sped off in another direction to cut it off. I stood beside Arlo, staring at the empty road, unable to shake the image of Ava being dragged into that car. “She came here because of us,” I whispered. Arlo turned towards me. “What?” “Ava came here to help arrest your father.” His expression tightened. “I know.” “She knew the risks.” “That doesn't make this okay.” “No.” I swallowe

The road to the meeting point seemed longer than it should have been, mostly because I knew exactly what I was driving toward. I had spent months being pulled into rooms where powerful people expected me to be frightened, obedient, or grateful, and I had learned that the most dangerous moments were usually the quiet ones. Arlo's father's message had promised a meeting, but I knew better than to believe a man who had escaped custody twice would keep anything simple.The abandoned building appeared ahead just before sunset, surrounded by empty lots and warehouses that looked as though they had been forgotten years ago. I slowed the car and looked around before pulling into the entrance. There were no police vehicles, no obvious guards, and no sign of Ava.That didn't reassure me.It made me more nervous.I turned off the engine and sat there for a moment.My phone was in my hand.The police had insisted that they could track me through it.The prosecutor had warned me not to take unnece