chapter twenty one
447 Words
The Woman Who Wasn't Dead
Ethan stared at the screen in stunned silence.
His grip on the tablet tightened.
"That's impossible..."
Maya stepped closer.
"What is it?"
Without a word, Ethan turned the screen toward her.
The image was grainy from the storm, but there was no mistake.
Victor Hayes walked through the estate gates.
Beside him...
Sophia Bennett.
Alive.
Maya looked from the screen to Ethan.
"Sophia ?.
Ethan's face had gone pale.
The words hung heavily in the room.
Ryan swallowed hard.
"The facial recognition system identified her with a ninety-eight percent match."
"No," Ethan said firmly.
"What is she planning?."
Maya frowned.
"Then either someone lied... or someone wanted everyone to believe she was missing."
Silence filled the study.
Lightning flashed outside once more.
Ethan looked at Ryan.
"When was this footage recorded?"
"Just minutes before the power went out."
"And after that?"
"They disappeared into the woods behind the estate."
Ethan's eyes darkened.
"They wanted to be seen."
Maya folded her arms.
"Why?"
"Because this is a message."
"A warning."
Ryan nodded.
"Our security team is already searching the property."
Ethan turned to Maya.
"You'll stay inside."
She immediately shook her head.
"No."
"Maya..."
"I'm not hiding while everyone else risks their lives."
His jaw tightened.
"This isn't a request."
She met his gaze without fear.
"And I'm not someone you can lock away."
Ryan quietly looked between them.
Neither was willing to back down.
Finally, Ethan sighed.
"Fine."
"But you stay beside me."
A small smile appeared on Maya's lips.
"I can live with that."
For a brief moment, their eyes met again.
The interrupted kiss lingered between them like an unfinished promise.
Ryan cleared his throat awkwardly.
"I'll... pretend I didn't notice."
Maya's cheeks turned pink.
Even Ethan couldn't hide a small smile.
Moments later, the three of them stepped into the rain-soaked courtyard.
Security guards searched every corner of the estate.
Flashlights cut through the darkness.
Thunder roared overhead.
One of the guards suddenly shouted.
"Mr. Carter!"
Everyone rushed over.
On the wet stone path lay a single red rose.
Its petals were untouched by the rain.
Tied around the stem was a folded note.
Ethan picked it up carefully.
He unfolded the paper.
Only six words were written inside.
The game has just begun, Ethan.
At the bottom...
A single signature.
Sophia.
Maya felt a chill run down her spine.
What is Sophia planning?
Why had the world believed she was dead?
And what game had just begun?
As Ethan crushed the note in his hand, he made a silent promise.
No matter what secrets returned from the past...
He would protect Maya.
Even if it cost him everything.
- Writer
