Maria's Point of View
The rain outside had picked up, battering against the windows like an omen. We stood in the foyer, the silence between us heavy, like a dark cloud refusing to break. My thoughts were swirling. My father. Alive? And coming after me? It was absurd, like something out of a bad dream. But the way Zara had spoken, the chill in her voice… I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to change.
Kairo’s hand tightened on my shoulder, his warmth barely cutting through the icy fear gripping my chest. I could feel Fredrick’s eyes on me too, full of questions, worry—everything I didn’t have answers to.
“Maria…” Kairo’s voice was soft but firm, grounding me in the moment. “Talk to me. What’s going on? What was she saying about your father?”
I shook my head slowly, s
