The car ride away from the police station was tense, silent except for the hum of the engine and the occasional screech of tires on wet roads. Elena sat in the passenger seat, her hands tightly folded in her lap, her mind confused.
She finally broke the silence. Her voice trembled like a single thread pulled too tight.
“Damian… what is wrong with Rico? Why is he doing this to me?”
Damian didn’t answer right away. His jaw was tight, eyes focused on the road ahead like he was chasing down a thought he couldn’t catch. “I don’t know yet,” he said slowly. “But I promise you, Elena… we’re going to find out.”
The words gave little comfort. Elena leaned her head against the window, her breath fogging up the cold glass. She felt hollow, like something vital had been scraped out of her. How coul
