The next morning came too fast.
Evelyn noticed it immediately—the way Liora moved slower than usual, the way her eyes were swollen and ringed with dark shadows that makeup couldn't fully hide. She hadn't slept. Not really. Anyone could see that.
They sat across from each other at the small kitchen table, two untouched cups of tea between them.
"Did you sleep at all?" Evelyn asked.
Liora shrugged, forcing a weak smile. "Define sleep."
Evelyn didn't push. She leaned back slightly and folded her arms, studying her friend with a calm that wasn't natural—it was practiced.
"Here's what's going to happen," Evelyn said. "You're going to the location they sent."
Liora stiffened immediately. "Alone?"
Evelyn's lips curved—not soft, not playful. Sharp. Controlled.
"No," she said. "Someone will go with you."
Liora frowned. "Who?"
"You'll see."
She paused, then added, "I won't be with you."
Liora's head snapped up. "What?"
"I have to be at Milan today," Evelyn said evenly. "The brand competition starts this morning. If I don't show up, it raises questions. And right now, questions are dangerous."
Liora clenched her hands. "So you're choosing work over—"
"I'm choosing leverage," Evelyn cut in, calm but firm. "And I'm choosing not to panic."
Silence stretched between them.
Finally, Liora exhaled shakily. "Okay. Tell me the rest."
Evelyn stood and grabbed her bag. "Let's go outside."
A black sedan was already parked near the curb.
Liora stopped short. "You said someone would go with me, not a mystery car."
The passenger door opened.
A man stepped out—tall, dressed in black from head to toe, sleeves rolled just enough to show toned forearms. His hair was neatly cut, his expression easy but alert.
Evelyn smiled for the first time that morning.
"Took you long enough," the man said.
Liora blinked. "You… know him?"
"Unfortunately," Evelyn replied. "This is Kai."
Kai placed a hand over his chest dramatically. "Wow. Warm welcome."
"You deserve worse," Evelyn said, then turned to Liora. "Kai and I went to school together. He used to get me out of detention."
Kai raised a finger. "Correction. I got you into detention. Then got you out."
Liora stared between them. "Why does he look like—"
"A police officer?" Evelyn finished.
Kai flashed his badge briefly. "Kidnapping division. Ten years. I'm good at this."
Liora swallowed hard.
"You'll be driving," Evelyn said, handing Liora the car keys. "Kai will stay hidden."
"Hidden where?" Liora asked.
Kai opened the trunk.
Liora's eyes widened. "You're joking."
"I wish," Kai said cheerfully. "But this isn't my first time riding in one."
Evelyn placed something small into Liora's hand—a flash drive.
"What's this?" Liora asked.
"Insurance," Evelyn said. "It's empty."
"Then why—"
"Because they don't know that."
Liora stared at it, then nodded slowly.
Evelyn stepped back. "Go. And do exactly what they tell you to do."
"And you?" Liora asked.
Evelyn was already turning away. "I'll be where I need to be."
She barely had time to flag a cab when a familiar black car pulled up beside her.
Evelyn sighed.
The window rolled down.
"Get in," Adrian said.
"I'm late," she replied flatly.
"So am I."
She hesitated for half a second, then got in.
The ride was quiet at first.
"You haven't been replying to any of my messages lately," Adrian said eventually.
"I was busy," Evelyn replied.
"With what?"
"Fixing problems."
He glanced at her. "You look calm."
"I am."
He studied her for a moment, then nodded. "I'm not here to convince you anymore."
She turned to him. "Good."
"You're allowed to make your own decisions," he said. "Even if I don't like all of them."
"That's progress," she said dryly.
When they arrived at Milan, Adrian parked and got out without another word.
As he walked toward the entrance, Evelyn's phone buzzed.
Liora.
The warehouse smelled like rust and oil.
Liora stepped inside slowly, the flash drive clenched tightly in her hand.
"Hello?" she called.
Footsteps echoed.
A man stepped forward. Then another.
"We're here," one of them said. "Where's the girl?"
"She's not coming," Liora said, forcing her voice steady. "You wanted this."
She held up the flash drive.
The man smiled. "Smart choice."
Behind them, a shadow moved.
Kai dropped silently from the back of the truck, gun already drawn.
"Police," he said. "Nobody move."
Chaos followed.
One man ran. Another reached for a weapon. Kai moved fast—precise, efficient.
Within minutes, sirens wailed outside.
Liora found her mother tied but unharmed.
"Mama," she sobbed.
"I'm here," her mother whispered, holding her tight.
When Liora finally called Evelyn, her voice was shaking but relieved.
"We have her," she said. "She's okay."
"Good," Evelyn replied. "Take her home. She stays with us."
"What?"
"For safety," Evelyn said. "I'll explain later."
Back at Milan, Evelyn stood in line with the other models.
Her phone slipped back into her bag just as a voice called out:
"Evelyn Hart."
She straightened.
"You're next."