Aliyah’s POV
I stood by the window, staring into the dark stretch of the road that led out of the estate. The night air was still, heavy with unease. The streetlights flickered in the distance, casting long, uncertain shadows across the empty path. My chest tightened. Papa never stayed out this late without calling. Not once.
“Asher,” I called, my voice unsteady.
He appeared almost instantly at the doorway, his face alert the moment he saw my expression. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Papa,” I said, clutching my phone. “He hasn’t come back yet. It’s past nine, and he’s not answering his calls.”
Asher frowned and walked closer. “Where did he go?”
“To the council meeting.” My voice trembled. “It shouldn’t take this long. He said he’d be back before dinner.”
He pulled out his own phone and dia
