Chapter 31: The Choice We Can't Take Back The clock ticked louder than my thoughts as I paced the room. Alex sat in the corner, his head lowered into his hands, while Reid played with his toy car on the floor. Precious lingered near the window, peeking through the blinds every few minutes, her face lined with worry. “We need to make a decision,” I said, breaking the suffocating silence. Alex didn’t look up. “You think I don’t know that? Every option feels like handing Reid over to them.” I clenched my fists. “Sitting here doesn’t make us safe either. We’re running out of time, Alex.” Precious sighed from the window. “They’re still out there. Same black SUV. It hasn’t moved since last night.” I swallowed the lump in my throat and crouched down beside Reid. His innocent smile

