The night was calm.
The soft rhythm of breathing filled the room, blending with the gentle rustle of sheets. Liam lay deep in sleep, his strong arm draped protectively around Ann, who rested peacefully against his chest. Her warm skin against his, the comfort of her presence—it was like the world had faded for a while.
But that peace shattered in an instant.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A hard knock echoed from the door downstairs.
Liam's eyes snapped open immediately, sharp and alert. His muscles tensed beneath the sheets as his instincts flared to life. His eyes darted to the digital clock beside the bed—10:41 PM.
He slowly pulled his arm away from Ann without waking her, then threw the blanket aside and stood. His bare feet touched the cold floor as he reached for his clothes and phone on the table.
And then his face froze.
Eight missed calls. Three messages. All from Lilith.
