Gabriel joined his mother and Anna downstairs for breakfast. The dining table was set with a spread of pancakes, fresh fruit, and scrambled eggs. As they ate, the room was filled with the sound of clinking cutlery and light conversation.Marie looked up from her plate, her eyes settling on Gabriel. “How have you been living alone all this while, Gabriel?” she asked, a hint of concern in her voice.Gabriel’s face lit up with a smile. “I haven’t really been alone, Mother. I have a family now.”Marie’s fork paused mid-air. “You’ve got a family?”“Yes,” Gabriel said proudly. “A loving wife and a daughter. My wife is the best.”Anna, sitting across from him, suddenly dug a hole in her pancake with her fork, her gaze lowering as a wave of emotion washed over her. Magdalene, seated beside her, seemed unhappy for a brief moment but quickly forced a smile. She glanced at Anna, who returned the gesture with a faint smile of her own.***Later that day, around noon, Camella picked up Jessie fro

Gabriel walked back into the house with Camella, his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders. As they entered the living room, Marie was descending the stairs, her expression instantly darkening when she saw them together. Her eyes narrowed, and the tension in the room thickened.“Why did she return?” Marie’s voice was sharp, her anger bubbling to the surface.“Mom, please, relax,” Gabriel said, holding up a hand to calm her. “I want you to forgive Camella. It was a mistake. That particular day, she had to leave because she got a call from our daughter’s school. Jessie wasn’t doing well, and Camella had to rush over.”Marie scoffed, her eyes flashing with bitterness. “A mistake? She’s evil, Gabriel! You don’t know the kind of person she is. She left me to die in the street. How can you defend her?”Gabriel’s jaw tightened, his eyes pleading with his mother. “Camella didn’t want to leave you, but she was scared for Jessie. She made a difficult choice, and she regrets it every day

Leo’s heart pounded in his chest as he absorbed the chilling command, fear and anticipation swirling within him.He carefully backed away from the door, his breath catching in his throat as he tried to remain as silent as possible. His heart pounded with a mixture of fear and dread as he made his way down the corridor, constantly glancing over his shoulder to ensure he wasn’t being watched. Once he reached his room, he quickly slipped inside and locked the door behind him, the click of the lock echoing in the quiet space.Ruth looked up from the bed where she had been knitting, her face immediately creasing with concern as she took in Leo’s ashen expression. “What happened? You look petrified,” she asked, setting her knitting aside and rising to her feet.Leo’s hands trembled slightly as he ran them through his hair, trying to collect his thoughts. “Greg met with Natalie,” he began, his voice low and strained. “But she didn’t tell him anything. Nothing at all.”Ruth’s eyes brightene

Anna gently tucked Marie under the covers, brushing a loose strand of hair from her forehead as she softly hummed a lullaby. Marie’s eyes fluttered closed, and soon her breathing deepened as she drifted into a peaceful sleep. Satisfied, Anna quietly left the room, carefully closing the door behind her before heading downstairs.Gabriel was seated in the living room, his brows furrowed in deep thought. His mind was racing, filled with worries about his father, his family, and the danger lurking around them. Anna approached him, her footsteps light.“She’s asleep now,” Anna informed him gently.Gabriel looked up, relief washing over his features. “Thank you, Anna. I couldn’t seem to find the right way to calm her down. That’s why I left it to you.”Anna nodded, her expression understanding. “I know. It’s hard sometimes.”Gabriel stood up, stretching slightly. “Alright then, I should head home. Goodnight, Anna.”As he turned to leave, Anna quickly reached out and placed a hand on his arm

Oliver Wellington, a man in his late 50s, looked nothing like the powerful businessman he once was. His graying hair was tucked under a worn-out cap, and his usually sharp features were hidden behind the rough texture of an old, oversized coat. His boots, scuffed and muddy, added to the disguise that made him nearly unrecognizable. His steps were quick but careful as he navigated through the crowded subway station, his eyes darting around, scanning every face with a mix of wariness and desperation.The station was a bustling hive of activity, with commuters rushing to catch their trains, the hum of conversation blending with the distant roar of arriving subways. The smell of damp concrete and the metallic scent of the tracks filled the air. Oliver’s heartbeat quickened as he glanced over his shoulder and caught sight of two men trailing him. Their expressions turned blank, almost indifferent, the moment they realized they had been spotted. One of them, a tall man with a shaved head, l