The first rays of sunlight barely pierced the clouds over Silvergate City, casting a gray-gold glow over the mansion. Natalie sat in the nursery, Ethan asleep beside her, clutching a stuffed bear. Her fingers trembled as she traced the edge of the envelope again.
Adrian entered silently, dark circles under his storm-gray eyes betraying a night spent pacing and planning. “We don’t have a choice,” he said, his voice low, tense. “We go. Now.”
Natalie swallowed hard. “Go where? That note — it could be a trap.”
He took her hand, firm and unyielding. “Then we walk in together. I don’t leave you, and I don’t leave him. No matter what.”
Ethan stirred awake, rubbing his eyes. “Mommy… scary?”
She pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. “Not with Daddy here, baby. We’ll be safe.”
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🚗 The Drive
