Two days later
Morning light poured into the penthouse kitchen, pale and calm, the kind of light that made everything look ordinary even when nothing about their lives was normal anymore. Liam stood by the island with a bowl of cereal in his hand, scrolling lazily through his phone. The city outside looked quieter than before. Fewer sirens. Fewer emergency broadcasts. Even the news anchors sounded confused these days. Less death, more tension. Like something was holding its breath.
His phone vibrated suddenly.
He glanced down.
Irina.
The message was short.
Come alone.
Below it was a location pin.
He stared at it for a few seconds, jaw tightening slightly. No greeting. No explanation. Just an order.
