The meeting dragged on longer than expected, but Armando’s focus never wavered. By the time he and his men returned home, it was well past midnight. The estate was silent, except for the faint hum of security guards patrolling the grounds. As the group entered, Jessica appeared in the hallway, her face pale and her eyes swollen, evidence of sleepless hours spent worrying.
The moment she saw him, her heart dropped. The bloodstains on his shirt and the stiffness in his movements told her everything she needed to know. Tears welled in her eyes as she rushed toward him.
“Armando!” she whispered, her voice trembling as she flung her arms around him.
He tensed slightly but allowed the embrace, his arms wrapping around her protectively. “Jessica,” he murmured, his voice softer than usual
