"Lies, fear, and manipulation hide behind a smile… and Kieran is about to find out."
Adrien was awake.
He had been awake for a long time.
The big clock on the wall made soft ticking sounds, like it was counting something important. The curtains moved a little when the wind passed, and the shadows on the ceiling looked like monsters if he stared too long.
He sat up in bed, clutching his teddy bear tight.
Daddy said he would come tuck him in.
Daddy always said that.
But Daddy wasn't here.
The door opened slowly.
Adrien's heart jumped into his throat.
Lena stepped inside.
She wore a soft robe, pale blue, neat and clean. Her blonde hair was loose tonight, falling over her shoulders. Her glasses were on. She looked gentle.
That scared him more.
She smiled.
"Your dad went out," she said quietly. "Important work."
Adrien's fingers curled into the teddy's fur.
"When… when will he come back?" he asked.
Lena closed the door behind her.
The click sounded loud. Final.
