ALEX
I stood by the tall window, gazing out at the world beyond. The sun was dipping low, bathing the landscape in a soft golden glow. From here, I could see everything—cars crawling down the street, people hurrying home, but I knew they couldn’t see me. The special glass made sure of that.
My hands stayed buried deep in my pockets, shoulders relaxed as I leaned slightly forward, watching. Thinking. Waiting.
Then I heard it—the quiet creak of the door behind me. My lips curved into a slow, knowing grin. I didn’t even have to look to know it wasn’t Claire. Claire would have knocked first.
I stayed where I was, still facing the window, and listened.
A quick gasp broke the silence, followed by a voice I hadn’t heard in far too long—breathless and full of disbelief.
“Alex?”
At that, I c
