Chapter 3
756 Words
The warning
Amara didn’t sleep that night.
Adrian’s words kept replaying in her mind.
The person you’re running from has finally found you.
She hated that those words scared her.
For years, she had convinced herself that she was safe. That the past was behind her.
But now, sitting in a room that belonged to a man she barely knew, she wasn’t so sure anymore.
A sudden sound came from outside.
Amara froze.
A quiet movement.
Then another.
Someone was there.
She slowly walked toward the window and looked outside.
At first, she saw nothing.
Then she noticed it.
A small envelope placed near the entrance.
Her name was written on it.
AMARA BENNETT
Her heart dropped.
Because whoever left it…
knew exactly where to find her.
Amara stared at the envelope for a long moment.
A part of her wanted to walk away.
To pretend she never saw it .
But another part of her needed answers.
Slowly,she picked it up .There was no name. No address.Only three words written on the front.
YOU CAN'T HIDE.
Her fingers went cold.
This wasn't a warning .
It was a message.
Someone wanted her to know they were close.
Before she could open the envelope,a voice came from behind her.
“Don't touch it.”
Amara turned quickly.
Adrian stood there.
His face was no longer calm.
For the first time,she saw something she never expected from him.
Fear.
Amara looked at him in confusion.
“Fear?”
The word left her mouth before she could stop it.
Adrian walked closer and carefully took the envelope from her hand.
“You don’t understand what this means.”
“Then explain it to me.”
His jaw tightened.
For a moment, he looked like he wanted to tell her everything.
But something stopped him.
“Someone is trying to remind me that they’re still in control.”
Amara stared at him.
“Who?”
Adrian looked down at the envelope.
Then back at her.
“The same person who destroyed my family.”
Silence filled the room.
And suddenly, Amara understood something.
This was never just about her past.
She was standing in the middle of someone else’s war.
Amare looked at Adrian carefully.
“Your family?”
He didn't answer immediately.
For a man who always seemed to have control over everything,this was the first time she saw him hesitate.
“My father was killed years ago,”Adrian finally said.
Amara's expression changed.
“The woman in the picture…”
“She knew things about what happened.”
A cold feeling moved through Amara.
“And you think my mother's friend was involved?”
Adrian looked at her.
“I think she knew the truth.”
Amara shook her head.
“No.That doesn't make sense.”
“Why?”
“Because if she knew something like that…why would she never tell me?”
Adrian had no answer.
And somehow,that scared Amara more than anything.
Because maybe the people she trusted the most… were the ones who knew the biggest secrets.
Before Adrian could say anything else,the lights suddenly went off.
The room fell into darkness.
Amara froze.
“Adrian?”
No answer.
Then she heard it.
A sound.
A quiet movement near the door.
Adrian immediately stepped in front of her.
“Stay behind me.”
For once,Amara didn't argue.
She could feel the tension in the room.
Someone was inside the house.
Someone who wasn't supposed to be there.
A few seconds later,the lights came back on.
But the room was empty.
Except for one thing.
A second envelope was sitting on Adrian's desk.
This time,it wasn't addressed to Amara.
It was addressed to him.
ADRIAN VALE.
Adrian stared at the envelope.
For the first time since Amara met him, he looked unsure.
Not angry.
Not cold.
Just…shaken.
Amara noticed.
“What does it say?”
Adrian didn't move.
“Nothing good.”
“That is not an answer.”
He looked at her.
“You need to understand something,Amara.”
His voice became quieter.
“The moment you became connected to me, you became part of this.”
Amara's heart sank.
“I didn't choose this.”
“ I know.”
“Then why am I here?”
Adrian looked at the envelope again.
Then he finally opened it.
Inside was a single piece of paper.
only one sentence was written.
THE GIRL YOU'RE PROTECTING IS THE REASON YOUR FATHER DIED.
Adrian went completely still.
And Amara knew… whatever happened next would change everything.
- Writer
