CHAPTER 72

The room felt colder, as if the very presence of the man sitting across from Philip had sucked the warmth out of the air. Philip’s mind was a whirlwind of confusion and dread. He had buried the past, or so he thought, but now it was resurfacing with a vengeance.

The man leaned back in the chair, his eyes never leaving Philip. “I see you’re surprised to see me, Philip,” he said with a smirk. “I can’t blame you. After all, it’s been quite some time.”

Philip’s throat was dry, but he managed to speak. “What are you doing here? How did you find me?”

The man chuckled, a sound that sent a shiver down Philip’s spine. “Oh, come now, Philip. You didn’t think you could hide forever, did you? I’ve been keeping an eye on you, watching as you tried to rebuild your life. But the past has a way of catching up, doesn’t it?”

Philip took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. “What do you want?”

The man’s smile faded, replaced by a look of cold determination. “What I want is simple. I want what’s mine