Chapter 113
that’s why the bodyguard?” Mia spared ↑ complete the sentence.
“Vigion” I answered her unasked question
Max another glance, her gaze flickering with curiosity. “Where did you” she trailed off, not wanting to
Her brows lifted slightly“: “Cillian Knight?” She pressed her lips in a t
a thin line. “Interesting”
That reaction was valid. She knew I barely tolerated Cillian. So the fact that I went to him for help might seem a little weird to her
Oply if the knew the rest.
My fingers twitched
thily, an unconscious response to the memories replaying in my mind. The cold fear that had gripped me when I found out someone had broken into my apartment. The sheer horror of discovering Nero’s lifeless body. The ache of realizing that no place was safe anymore, that my sanctuary had been violated in the worst possible way. It wasn’t just about the fear of being watched anymore. It was about being hunted
“Anyway, I’ll come over to your place today. We can have a movie night.” Mia’s voice was light, her attempt to lift the mood evident. It had the opposite effect. A night knot formed in my stomach as I realized 1 had no idea how to respond.
The problem with iving was that I was terrible at it. Mia knew me too well, and even the slightest hesitation would make her suspicious. But what choice did I have?
terhaled slowly, bracing myself. “Actually, about that I hesitated, gripping the edge of my desk as if anchoring myself. “I am not staying there
Mia’s forehead creased in confusion. “What do you mean?”
I licked my Eps, my throat suddenly dry. “Someone broke into my apartment.”
The words feh heavy, as though speaking them out loud made the entire situation more real. Mia’s eyes widened in horror.
she asked, her voice sharper this time.
swallowed the lump in my throat, “And they killed Nero”
The room frit smaller the air sucked out of it as soon as I said it. The ache in my chest expanded, pressing against my ribs. I clenched my hands. together, trying to keep my composure, but I knew my voice had already cracked slightly.
Miu let out a strangled sound, somewhere between a gasp and a whimper. “THE FUCK?” Her reaction was immediate, visceral. Her hands slammed onto my desk, she leaned forward, eyes wide with shock and something that looked like grief
“T–” My voace faltered, unsure of what else to say. There wasn’t anything else. It was an undeniable fact. Nero was gone. And the stalker wasn’t just paying gather anymore
“Oh my God! I told you this was not harmless” Mia’s voice was shaking now, her earlier attempt at being casual completely shattered, she reached
ove the desk, grabbing my hand in hers and squeezing tightly. “This is temble, Erica. Im so sorry”
I nodded inuirly, unable to trust thy voice at the moment. There was nothing else to say. Nothing that would change what had happened.
Man, who had been atting spiently on the couch by the wall, didn’t rea visibly, but I noticed the subtle shift in his posture. His arms, which had been croiard krowcly sever cheat, tended slighty. Even though he already karw everything, hearing it again, Laid out like this, seemed to make
unreadable but attentive.
in silence. The kind of silence that wasn’t cimpty, but full. Heavy with unspoken thoughts, with the weight of reality
so where are jou paying right now?” dir acked eventually, her vice solter, careful
agalis, feeling the wright of the
Mia’s expresstin shufted, understanding dawning were absent the last two days!”
tell you. I’m not allowed to dune my addren with anyone right now.”
vyes. She didn’t push, bad I could see the consom ached into her face. “Is this why you
I nodded, sitting up straighter, trying to compose inpelt. “Don’t tell anyone about this, please”
1/2
Chapter 13
She stood up, walking around my de
she bent down and in
he warmth of fire embrace sent a fresh wave of emotions through nuc, and for a brief moment, I let myself lean into it. Let myself feel the comfort
mesme who genuiorly cared.
and left the room, Lexhaled, feiting on a liceath 1 hadn’t realized I was holding. My mind was still racing, thoughts colliding with one another as 1 tried to process everything.
The Lost two days had been a haze of grief, exhaustion, and an aching loneliness Hadn’t anticipated, I stayed in bed, curled up under the covers, my body ton heavy with sorrow to miqve
Every time I closed my eyes, 1 w Nero his bright, curious eyes, the way he’d curl up next to me after a long day, his soft purring a constant. comfort. He was just four years old. Four. He had so much lite left. And now he was gone.
Dragging myself out of beil this morning had felt like the hardest thing I’d ever done. My limbs resister, my mind screamed at me to stay in the safety of my blanket. Hut I knew I couldn’t. Hiding wouldn’t change anything. Thad to get up. I had to go to work.
Work had always grossed me, given me purpose. But today, even as I sat at my desk, the familiar environment did nothing to ease the weight pressing down on my chest. It felt impossible to focus. The day had barely begin, and already I wanted it to be over. Maybe I just needed time to adjust. Maybe tomorrow would be easier. It would have to he
