CHAPTER TWELVE:THE WARNING
829 Words
Sarah didn’t speak during the drive back.
The photograph rested on her lap.
Adrian.
The name wouldn’t leave her mind.
Neither would Daniel’s words.
You won’t look at your husband the same way again.
She stared through the window.
“Who was Adrian?”
Daniel kept his eyes on the road.
“Someone Michael failed.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“No.”
Sarah turned toward him.
“Then give me one.”
Daniel was silent for several seconds.
“Adrian was our friend.”
“Yours and Michael’s?”
“Yes.”
“What happened to him?”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“He trusted the wrong person.”
“Michael?”
Daniel didn’t answer.
Sarah’s frustration grew.
“You keep giving me pieces of a story and expecting me to accept them.”
“Because you’re not ready for the whole story.”
“You don’t get to decide that.”
Daniel glanced at her.
“No.”
His voice softened.
“But I know what happens when people learn the truth before they’re ready.”
Sarah looked away.
She hated how much she believed him.
⸻
When Daniel dropped her outside the law firm, Sarah immediately noticed Michael’s car parked across the street.
Her stomach tightened.
Daniel noticed too.
“Do you want me to stay?”
“No.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
Daniel studied her.
“Call me if you need me.”
Sarah opened the door.
Then stopped.
“Daniel.”
He looked at her.
“Did you really know about me before we met?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
He hesitated.
“Michael.”
Sarah’s heart sank.
“What does that mean?”
Daniel looked toward Michael’s car.
“Ask him.”
Then he drove away.
Sarah watched until the car disappeared.
Only then did she cross the street.
Michael stepped out of his car.
His face was tense.
“Where were you?”
Sarah stopped.
“Why?”
“You weren’t answering your phone.”
“I was with Daniel.”
Michael’s expression changed.
“Sarah…”
“I need the truth.”
“You don’t understand what you’re doing.”
“I understand perfectly.”
She stepped closer.
“You knew he was coming.”
Michael looked away.
“You’ve been lying to me.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“No.”
Sarah’s voice cracked.
“You were protecting yourself.”
Michael stared at her.
“You think Daniel cares about you?”
Sarah didn’t answer.
“He doesn’t.”
“How would you know?”
“Because I know him.”
“Then tell me what happened.”
Michael’s silence stretched.
Finally, he said:
“Daniel wasn’t always like this.”
Sarah’s heart tightened.
“What happened to him?”
Michael looked at her.
“He lost everything.”
“Because of you?”
Michael didn’t answer.
Sarah stepped closer.
“Because of you?”
His eyes dropped.
And that was enough.
Sarah whispered:
“What did you do?”
Michael’s voice was barely audible.
“I didn’t do what you think.”
“Then what did you do?”
“I was young.”
“So was Daniel.”
Michael looked at her.
“And so was Adrian.”
Sarah froze.
“You know I know his name.”
Michael’s face went pale.
“Daniel showed you.”
“Yes.”
Michael closed his eyes.
“Sarah, please.”
“No more secrets.”
He opened his eyes.
“You don’t know what Daniel is capable of.”
“And you do?”
“Yes.”
“Then tell me.”
Michael shook his head.
“I can’t.”
Sarah stepped backward.
“Then I’ll find out myself.”
She turned away.
“Sarah.”
She stopped.
Michael’s voice trembled.
“If Daniel gives you a choice…”
Sarah looked over her shoulder.
“Don’t choose him.”
Her heart pounded.
“What choice?”
Michael said nothing.
Sarah stared at him.
“What choice, Michael?”
But he had already turned away.
⸻
That evening, Sarah sat alone in her apartment.
She couldn’t stop thinking about his words.
If Daniel gives you a choice…
Her phone buzzed.
Daniel.
Daniel: Are you home?
Sarah stared at the screen.
She typed:
Yes.
His reply came immediately.
Daniel: Lock your door.
Sarah frowned.
Why?
No answer.
Then—
A sound came from outside.
Sarah froze.
Someone was walking past her apartment.
Slowly.
She moved toward the window.
Pulled the curtain aside.
Nothing.
She looked back at her phone.
Another message.
Daniel: Don’t look outside.
Sarah’s blood ran cold.
She stepped away from the window.
How do you know I’m looking outside?
Three dots.
Then:
Daniel: Because I told you I’ve been watching.
Sarah stared at the message.
A final text appeared.
Daniel: And tonight, Sarah, you need to understand something.
She waited.
Daniel: I’m not the only person watching you.
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