LET'S BREAK THEM

CHAPTER 19: THE FIRST NIGHT

Step 18: Survive.

Step 19: Try to live.

The Carter Mansion was too quiet.

Too big. Too clean. Too much.

My sneakers echoed on the marble floor as Ben led me upstairs.

Security guards stood at the gate outside. Two more by the door.

"Are they for me... or you?" I asked quietly. Voice small in the hallway.

"Both," Ben said. Jaw tight. "Until we know who sent that brick."

My guest room door opened.

A king-sized bed. White sheets. A bathroom bigger than my kitchen.

A window that looked over the whole of Onitsha. City lights like stars.

I dropped my one small bag on the floor. Everything I owned fit in it.

Two shirts. Jeans. Charger. Notebook.

"This is..." I couldn't finish. The words stuck.

"Too much?" Ben finished for me. He looked uncomfortable. Ashamed almost.

"This was my mom's room before... before he changed everything. Before he kicked her out."

He shoved his hands in his pockets. "Bathroom has towels. Kitchen's downstairs. Help yourself to anything."

"Fridge is stocked. Guards have my number."

"Thank you, Ben."

He nodded and left. Closed the door softly. No slam.

I sat on the bed. It didn't even make a sound.

No leaking roof. No cockroaches. No landlord banging for rent at 6am.

Just silence. Heavy silence.

It should've felt good. Safe.

So why did my chest feel tight? Like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

At midnight I gave up on sleeping. Stared at the ceiling for 2 hours.

I padded downstairs in socks. Cold tiles.

The mansion was dark except for one light in the kitchen.

Ben was there. Again. In sweatpants and a hoodie. Hair messy.

Burnt noodles from last night were still in the sink.

"Can't sleep either?" I asked.

He jumped. "Didn't hear you." He gestured to the pot. Steam rising. "Want... ramen? I promise not to burn it this time."

I smiled. First real one all day. "Deal."

We ate on the floor. No table. Just two bowls and the cold tiles. Backs against the cabinets.

"Do you miss it?" I asked. "Your old life. The parties. The money. The cars."

Ben stared at his noodles. "I miss my mom. I don't miss pretending everything was fine."

"I miss not checking the locks 3 times."

"I'm sorry about your dad."

"Don't be." His voice was hard. Then softer. "He made his choices. I made mine. Tonight I chose you."

Silence again. But softer this time. Not empty.

"Can I ask you something?" he said.

"Sure."

"Are you scared? Staying here. With me. After everything. After my last name."

I thought about it. The brick. The threats. The news vans. The email with Mom’s door.

Then I looked at him. Tired eyes. Burnt ramen. Guards outside for me.

"No," I said honestly. "For the first time in a year, I'm not scared."

He looked up. Surprised. Like no one had said that to him before. Like he didn’t believe it.

"Good," he whispered. "Cause I don't want you to be. Not ever again."

My phone buzzed. Dreame again.

`Reader comment: Kudo please don't die!!`

`Reader comment: Ben is lowkey a green flag??`

`Reader comment: Chapter 18 made me cry`

I laughed and showed him.

Ben read it and actually blushed. Pink across his cheeks. "Green flag? Me?"

"Shut up," I said, throwing a napkin at him. He threw one back. Hit me in the face.

We both cracked up. Loud. In the empty mansion.

For 10 minutes we were just... normal.

Two tired people eating bad ramen at 1am. No billionaires. No wars. No cameras. No evidence.

Just us.

When we went back upstairs, I paused at my door.

"Ben?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For the room. For the noodles. For... everything. For not letting me break."

He scratched the back of his neck. Looked away. "Get some sleep, Kudo. You're safe here. I promise."

I closed the door and finally, finally fell asleep.

No nightmares.

No running.

No footsteps in the hall.

Just the sound of rain on the mansion windows.

And the feeling that for once, someone was guarding the door.

Step 19: Complete.

The first night in a new life.

And I didn't wake up once.

`Chapter 19.

Too big.

Too quiet.

Too safe.

Ramen at 1am.

And rain.

-K`