Section 18. 7:40 pm.
6 Phanda Ave.
Adriana walked down the pavement, heading toward her apartment. Streetlights spilled across the town like liquid gold, illuminating the sidewalks crowded with people—mostly clocking off from work. She scrolled on her phone, eyes half on the screen, half on the world around her.
A sleek black SUV slid up beside her. At first, she barely registered it. But then, one of the pedestrians ahead stopped, turned, and started walking straight toward her—eyes locked. The car doors opened behind her.
Instinctively, Adriana tried to change her path, but he mirrored her movements. Panic prickled at her spine. She spun around—only to find Max and two of his goons standing behind her. Her heart skipped a beat. She froze.
Arms folded, Max's gaze bore into her. "Adri!… how long's it been? Two years… three?" he stated.
She didn't answer. Instead, she spat on his Claudio blazer.
One of his guards moved faster than thought, slapping her across the face. Pain exploded in her cheek as she hit the pavement.
The guard whipped out his gun, aiming it at her. "You little bitch, think you can j—"
BANG!
He crumpled, his head slamming against the pavement. Blood splattered across her face, warm and sticky. Screams erupted as people scattered, some vaulting fences, fleeing the chaos.
Max's gun flashed.
"Fucking peasants." Max muttered, his eyes cold. "Think they can run the show." He glanced at Adriana. "Sorry about that… didn't come here to hurt you."
A faint sniff. "Well… tell that to your guard." she said.
"I don't think he's gonna hear us anymore," Max muttered, cold as ice.
Adriana rose, gaze hard as steel. "Why'd you come here, huh?"
Max's eyes glinted. "Glad you asked. Shit's about to blow, and Stephen… he's in the crossfire."
"And what does this have to do with me?" she asked, scoffing.
Max's gaze locked on hers. "I'm telling you this because… we go way back."
Adriana didn't flinch. She said nothing, her stare sharp as a blade.
"Crystal Avenue. Bereshit Road… that's where you'll find him." he said, rolling his hand lazily through the air.
Two of his men dragged the guard's corpse and tossed him into the trunk with brutal efficiency.
"It was nice catching up with you, Adriana." Max said.
She spat on the pavement. "Likewise." she replied, voice sharp.
The SUV roared to life and disappeared into the night, leaving Adriana standing alone, unsure of her next move.
153. PINE STREET. 8:00 pm.
Jack's Liquor.
Antonio lounged on the upper deck of Jack's Liquor. The floor below buzzed faintly, but up here it was quiet, almost private. He sank into a velvet couch, swirling champagne in his glass. Red LED's bled along the walls, bathing the VIP area in a warm, moody glow.
Amanda appeared at the top of the stairs, carrying a steaming bowl of curry. The aroma drifted through the VIP floor as she approached Antonio.
Amanda cleared her throat "Toni, chicken curry— just the way you like it." she said, nudging the bowl forward.
Tilting his head, he met her eyes. Slowly, he shifted upright and accepted the bowl, fingers brushing the rim.
"Thanks, Amanda." he responded.
Amanda perched opposite him. "So, what's up? You're not yourself… worse than last week, even."
Antonio swallowed a mouthful, voice low. "Yeah… it's bad," he muttered.
"So… what is it this time?" she asked.
A hard gulp ran down his throat. "It's Max," he said. "He's closing in… I don't think I can stay here much longer."
Shock widened her eyes. "You're leaving?" she whispered. "And what about the girl?"
Antonio scraped the last of the curry from the bowl, placing it on the floor. "Kathy… I've no choice. She comes with me."
Lighting a cigarette, she asked, "And if she doesn't?"
Antonio's gaze darkened. "She doesn't have a choice either. If she stays… Steph will find out. And when he does…"
Smoke curled from her lips. "He'll divorce her," they said in unison. "So… where to?" she asked.
He finished his champagne. "He thinks I'll go north… I won't."
"Oh? Where to, then?" she asked, leaning forward.
He set the empty glass aside. "One a.m.," he said quietly. "By the time they decide to come looking… we'll have already slipped under their noses."
She passed him the cigarette. "Might work," she said.
He inhaled. "Might?"
"I don't know— but I don't think Max is stupid." she stated.
Smoke slid from his lips. "He's not," he murmured. "So we play it smart… and end it in checkmate."
Antonio's wrist vibrated—his stopwatch alarm cutting through the quiet of the VIP floor.
Antonio pushed himself up. "Seems there's no turning back," he murmured, the red glow casting shadows across his face.
She stepped in front of him. "Hey… I love you, Toni. You know that."
"I love you too," he said
Antonio vanished from the upper deck, the red LED bleeding behind him. He moved down the stairs, slipping out into the shadowed streets beyond the bar.
CRYSTAL AVENUE. 10:07 pm.
Katherine lay awake beside Stephen, sleep nowhere near her. Her gaze stayed on the dresser mirror while his arms circled her waist, holding her close—like it was all he knew how to do.
Slowly, she slipped free from his arms. Careful. Quiet. She rose from the bed and fled into the bathroom.
Cold water over and over again. Katherine stared at herself in the mirror—eyes heavy with worry, skin pale as snow. A single tear traced its way down.
"Oh God… what am I doing?" she whispered.
Back in the room, she opened the cupboard and dragged out a large bag. Clothes went in—hers, then the kids'. When she was done, she left it by the bedroom door.
Stephen shifted in his sleep. Katherine froze.
His eyes fluttered open.
He yawned, rubbing his eyes. "Baby… what's wrong?"
Katherine hesitated For a moment.
Her words stumbled out. "I… uh… I was struggling to sleep." she replied, fingers curling at her side.
"Okay… just don't think too much." he said, his eyes already closing.
Relief left her lungs in a quiet breath. She slipped back into the bed, letting sleep claim her while the decision waited in the dark.