Chapter 165:

Ethan shuffled closer to the nightstand, his footsteps growing heavier with each step. The dim light from the lamp cast long shadows, making the room feel eerie and suffocating.

As he neared the nightstand, his heart pounded, and an icy dread began to coil around his chest.

His hand trembled, and he clenched his fist tightly, fighting against the rising anxiety that twisted in his gut.

His fingers finally reached the paper, which felt unnervingly cold and damp.

He pulled it towards him, the edges crumpling under his grip. With a deep breath, he flipped it open, every movement feeling like it took an eternity.

The message was blunt and ruthless. It simply stated that his mother was gone. The words hit him like a punch to the gut, leaving him gasping for breath as the world seemed to tilt around him.

Ethan's eyes filled with tears as he stared at the letter, the sight bringing back painful memories. "They left a letter after all, just like when Ryan was taken," he mumbled, his voice