mind: You should have stayed away. Her gaze darted around the dimly lit street below, searching for any sign of movement, any shadow that

w more than they should. And the way they had spoke

eed from the cameras surrounding her apartment showed nothing unusual. Still, she couldn't shake the

e menace of the call. Victor Hale? Possible, but their interaction at the gallery h

ble, she retrieved a small, sleek pistol-a gift from her late father, given with the stern advice that every woman

-

tion with Elena. Her eyes, her voice, her defiance-it all stirred emotions he thought

g near Elena like a predator sizing up prey. The thought of Victor dragging Elena into his web made Ethan's blood boi

a familiar number. It rang twi

ee

ithout preamble. "Victor Hale. Find out why he's

e not seriously going aft

Reed. And kee

ecisive clink. If Victor thought he could use Elena

-

e tasks of inventory and client correspondence offered a welcome distraction from the unease that had

er desk, plain and unmarked. Her pulse quickened as she opened it,

aughing, their arms around each other, oblivious to the camera. The memory was bitterswe

ses can't

one had been in her gallery-someone who knew about

buzzed. The caller ID read "Unknown." Her instin

answered, her

The distorted voice was

demanded, her anger

ce replied, "Someone who knows the truth. Be car

sank into her chair, clutching the photo, her mind racing. Whoever this w

-

a. Her best friend had a knack for cutting through the chaos and offering clarity. As she stepped out of

of wine. "You look like you've seen a ghost," s

g the events of the past two days. She showed Sop

t someone messing with you. They're trying to get in

"He's the last perso

tered. "You said the photo is from your time tog

part of this? No, she couldn't believe it. But as much as

-

ware of every sound and shadow. Her apartment felt suffocating, the silence oppressive. S

in the armchair by the window, the gun resting in her lap. She dreamed of Etha

the only light coming from the city outside. But something fe

e of a figure standing just beyond

-

e shadows. With trembling hands, she reached for her pistol, her heart pounding in her ears. She aimed

tion-it vanished into the night, leaving her alone with her racing