Brian's Revenge: The rejected son-in-law

Chapter 13

Brian walked back and forth in their living room, his eyes locked on the clock that appeared to move agonizingly slow. The worry lines imprinted on his brow intensified with every passing minute. Julie should have been home by now, and her absence gnawed at his heart like a relentless storm.

He looked at his phone, hoping for a message or a call that would soothe his worries. But the screen remained blank, devoid of any comforting indications. His thoughts raced with a million possibilities, each one more terrible than the previous. What if anything had happened to her? What if she was in danger?

Unable to stomach the uncertainty any longer, Brian grabbed his coat and hurried out the door. His footsteps were hasty, mirroring the frantic pounding of his heart. He needed to locate Julie, to make sure she was secure, and to bring her back home where she belonged.

Outside, the city hummed with its customary vibrancy, oblivious to Brian's mental agony. He surveyed the crowded streets, his