•AFTERNOON•
•SOPHIA'S POV•
Standing outside Ethan's house felt strangely unreal. The gates were tall, metallic, and intimidating exactly what one would expect from the residence of a Metropolitan Commissioner's family. Yet behind them stood a house that didn't scream power, it breathed silence. A controlled silence. The kind that felt watched.
I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder and rang the bell. A few seconds later, the door opened. Ethan. He was dressed casually, black hoodie, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly damp like he had just showered. For a moment, I forgot how to speak.
"Hey" he said softly, smiling.
"Hi" I replied, forcing my voice not to shake.
He stepped aside. "Come in. Mom's not home." I don't know why those words made my chest loosen. The interior was neat. Too neat. Every object placed with intention. The walls carried framed photographs, official ceremonies, medals, newspaper clippings. His mother stood tall in every picture. Commanding. Untouchable.
"She's rarely home." Ethan added, noticing my gaze. "Work." I nodded.
We set up in the dining area, spreading books, notes, and printed articles everywhere. The topic was serious. Heavy. But the atmosphere between us wasn't.
"You're telling me" I said, tapping my pen against the table, "that life imprisonment can technically mean less than ten years?"
Ethan chuckled. "Welcome to loopholes."
"That's horrifying."
"That's reality."
We argued. Debated. Interrupted each other. Corrected facts. Somewhere along the way, the academic tension softened into laughter.
"You look angry when you concentrate." Ethan teased.
"I do not." I said while being offended.
"You do. Like you're personally offended by injustice."
"Maybe I am." I shot back.
He smiled at me then not teasing. Admiring.
Something warm settled between us.
Around 6:30 p.m., hunger won.
"I can make ramen." Ethan offered. "It's not… impressive."
"I don't need impressive." I said. "I need edible."
The kitchen filled with steam and laughter. He dramatically announced every step like a cooking show host.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, the sacred seasoning packet."
I laughed so hard I had to hold the counter.
We ate straight from the bowls, sitting on stools, shoulders brushing occasionally, each accidental touch sending a quiet spark through my body.
For the first time in days, I felt… safe.
Then thunder cracked. The windows rattled.
Rain poured like the sky had split open.
I checked my phone. 8:02 p.m.
"I should leave," I said, standing up.
Ethan looked at the storm, then at me. His brows furrowed.
"Sophia, no. Please. Roads will be flooded. Stay."
"I don't want to impose--"
"You're not." His voice was firm, almost desperate. "Please."
I hesitated.
And nodded.
•NIGHT•
•AUTHOR'S POV •
The house settled into quiet. Ethan prepared the bed for himself as well as for Sophia. "There are separate beds the in my bedroom." he clarified, almost too quickly. "You'll be comfortable." She agreed.
Eventually they layed down on their beds.
"Today was… nice." Sophia said.
Ethan swallowed. "Yeah. It was."
She closed her eyes and went into her dreamland. And the night swallowed everything.
•AT 1:00 a.m. NIGHT•
•SELVORA'S POV•
The car stopped.
I stepped out into the rain.
My head pounded. The city had turned against me. Headlines. Investigations. Accusations that crawled under my skin like parasites.
Corruption.
Cover-ups.
A woman unfit to lead.
And then, my son.
That video.
A girl's lips too close to his.
A humiliation.
A threat.
I slammed the door open.
"Ethan!" I called.
No answer.
I dialed his number. Once. Twice.
Nothing.
My chest tightened.
I went to my room, locking the door, pacing like a trapped animal.
She did this.
She wants to take him.
She wants to ruin you.
Sleep came like an ambush.
In my dream, cameras flashed. Handcuffs clicked. My badge fell to the floor. Ethan turned away from me.
I woke up screaming.
My heart raced uncontrollably.
Suddenly, I found myself in the kitchen with a knife in my hand before logic could stop me.
•ETHAN'S POV• THE NIGHTMARE THAT WAS REAL•
I was half asleep when I heard it.
The door.
A slow, unfamiliar creak.
My eyes fluttered open. I was about to sit up.
Then I saw the knife.
Moonlight reflected off the blade. My mother stood there, hair disheveled, sweat dripping down her face. Her eyes looked hollow, unfocused, shaking.
Something in me screamed danger.
But my body?
Didn't move.
I tried to lift my arm.
Nothing.
My legs felt like stone. My chest tightened so badly I thought I'd suffocate.
Then she turned.
And saw Sophia.
"No-" I tried to say.
No sound came out.
She rushed forward.
The first strike happened so fast my brain refused to register it.
Sophia gasped.
The sound shattered me.
I shook violently, breath coming out in broken fragments. My heart slammed against my ribs like it wanted out.
Again.
And again.
Blood splattered. Warm. Metallic.
I wanted to get up. To grab her. To scream.
But fear owned me.
My body betrayed me.
Sophia's eyes met mine for a brief second.
Not terror.
Confusion.
Then darkness.
My mother straightened, breathing heavily. She turned her head slowly toward me.
Even with my eyes closed and pupils shaking, I felt her gaze.
A smile. A Twisted Smile.
"Ethan, my boy" she whispered softly.
"Just pretend you didn't see anything. Mummy will take care of the mess she made."
Her footsteps retreated.
Silence roared.
I inhaled sharply, choking.
Opened my eyes.
Blood pooled beside me.
Sophia was still and...pale.
I screamed.
I cried.
My throat burned. My chest collapsed inward.
Arms wrapped around me.
Her arms.
"Shh" my mother whispered, rocking me. "Mummy will handle everything. She was a maniac. She wanted to steal you--"
"NO!"
I shoved her.
She hit the wall hard.
"You..KILLED HER! I LOVED HER! YOU KILLED THE PERSON I LOVED!" I shouted, voice breaking apart.
I ran.
Out of the house.
Out of childhood.
Straight into hell.
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This time no avocados.. Author is in tears😭
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YOO MY LOVELY LEADERS!!! I HOPE YOU ALL LIKED THIS CHAPTER!! UPDATING ALMOST AFTER A 1000 YEARS!! PLEASE LIKE, COMMENT AND SHARE YOUR OPINIONS CUZ IT ENCOURAGES ME ALOT!!😭❤️