Meanwhile, in Alec’s Office
Alec watched the CCTV footage from the building across Catherine’s apartment.
He saw her enter. Saw her stop. Saw her freeze. He saw her shoulders tighten. Her expression blank. He wanted her to cry.
But she didn’t. She didn’t break. Instead, she stood taller. A slow dread began to bloom in his chest.
“Sir?” Mick asked.
Alec didn’t answer. He stared at the screen, jaw tight.
The ghost he thought he could control just looked straight into the lens—like she knew.
Like she could see him. And she smiled. Like a lioness. Like Leon.
And Alec, for the first time in years, felt afraid.
*****
That morning, the sun barely peeked through the clouds like it, too, was unsure whether today would be a good idea. But I knew. I already had plans. Big ones.
I sipped ho
