**Emerie's Apartment — 2:03 AM**
The storm came in low and heavy, sheets of rain smearing the city into shadows. Emerie stepped out of the shower, wrapped in a towel, her mirror fogged.
She wiped the glass.
And froze.
A silhouette behind her.
She spun.
Albert stood in the center of her living room, soaked to the bone, dark hair plastered to his skull. He held no umbrella. His eyes fixed on her like gravity.
"Your lock is flimsy," he said quietly.
She didn't scream. Instead, she marched straight to the kitchen drawer and pulled out her phone.
“I'll call the police."
He didn't move. “They'll never get here in time."
“You're threatening me now?"
“I'm protecting you."
“By breaking into my home?"
“I'm trying to show you how easy it would be for someone else."
“Get out."
“Not unt
