Nelson quickly took his phone from his pocket; the tension in his face was evident as he pressed the screen with rapid, deliberate clicks that echoed in the quiet space. His voice was calm but carried a heavy, authoritative weight as he contacted one of the city's top-tier special forces units. “Hello, old friend. I apologize for reaching out at this late hour, but I really kind of need your help right now.” The voice from the phone responded almost instantly, sounding both warmly familiar and professionally cheerful. “Mr. Reed, it's truly a pleasure to hear from you. How have things been with you recently?” Nelson offered a slight, tight smile, even though he knew deep down that everything was far from okay. “Things are okay, my friend,” he replied, maintaining his composure despite the adrenaline spiking in his veins. Nelson's gaze remained fixed on Emily, holding her hands firmly across the table to stop them from shaking. The voice on the phone spoke again, turning seri

“Who was that?” Mrs. Park crossed her legs by the marble table, her posture calm but intensely observant. Lisa threw her phone hard onto the chair, frustration written all over her face like she just wore them like makeup. “It’s Nelson, Mom… after all I’ve done to make sure he pulls his mind off that damn Emily, it just seems like they’re getting even closer.” “Arrghh—” she scratched her face roughly, her nails dragging across her skin in a fit of rage, nearly drawing blood. Mrs. Park’s voice came in slow and controlled, trying to bleed the tension out of the room. “Calm down, baby… you just have to keep trying your best.” But her wordsbut the wrong nerves. Like a match dropped into a drum of petrol. Lisa snapped instantly, the words finally breaking after being held back for too long. Her voice filled the room. “Can you even hear yourself, Mom?” Mrs. Park recoiled slightly, a flicker of something new flashing in her eyes fear… or perhaps shock. “How the hell do you expect

Emily’s body was trembling, a cocktail of adrenaline and trauma coursing through her. As Nelson reached out, she shifted slightly away, her eyes cold and venomous. “What do you want, Nelson?” Nelson stayed silent for some second, the guilt visible in the lines of his face. “I… I—” “You what, Nelson?” she cut him off, her voice rising with a rough edge. “Ten calls. Ten. And you didn’t even bother to pick up once. When I heard that sound at my door, you were the first person I thought to call... but I was wrong. I was so goddamn mistaken. I don’t even know what changed you so suddenly.” Nelson moved a half-step closer, the regret heavy in his eyes. “Emily, I wish I’d answered... but there was a reason I didn’t. If you were in my shoes, you might have done the same. I’m so sorry... I never should have made you leave.” Emily’s expression shifted, a trace of confusion breaking through her anger. “What do you mean by 'reason,' Nelson?” Without a word, he slowly pulled out his phone. T