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Chapter 6

Lily

Lily sat stiffly in the chair, her spine straight and her jaw clenched. The polygraph wires had been reattached to her fingers and arms, the cold sensors biting into her skin like shackles. Her heart was still racing, but she forced her breathing into an even rhythm.

Across from her sat Lisa, clipboard in hand, her expression calm but observant—always watching, always calculating. And beside her sat Gabriel.

Or rather, Agent Matthew Colemen, as everyone else in the room still believed.

He was stone-faced, his hands folded neatly in front of him, his eyes fixed on the tabletop like Lily didn't exist.

But she was looking at him.

Her narrowed gaze locked on him with a fury that made the room feel ten degrees colder. Her eyes didn't tremble. They burned.

She wanted to scream. To demand answers. To fall apart. But instead, she sat perfectly still.

"Ms. Silvano," Lisa began, flipping to the next page in her file. "We're going to continue with our questions regarding your department's access and any anomalies you may have noticed over the past six weeks. I need you to answer clearly and completely. Understood?"

Lily gave a short nod, her voice low and sharp. "Understood."

Lisa glanced at the monitor. "Your current role?"

"Cybersecurity Operations Lead, overseeing threat response, remote access logs, and digital forensics within DHS's cyber infrastructure division."

Lisa continued. "Have you noticed any irregularities in your team's access logs?"

"Yes. Last week I flagged three off-hours entries under one of our rotating tokens. But we couldn't trace the source—until recently."

"Did you report this?"

"Yes. I included it in the anomaly report that went to your office. Page twelve."

Lisa nodded, scribbling something down. "How are remote credentials issued in your department?"

"They rotate every 72 hours and are stored on encrypted key fobs, two-factor authenticated with biometric clearance," Lily said tightly. "There are only four master keys—one of which is assigned to me."

Gabriel didn't move.

But she could feel his presence—could hear the silence of all the things he wasn't saying.

"Have you ever shared your clearance credentials, even temporarily?" Lisa asked.

"No," Lily answered, her voice clear. "Never. Not once."

She pushed past the storm inside her—shoved the rising questions and raw grief down into the pit of her stomach where it couldn't shake her voice.

She would not falter. Not in front of him. Not in front of her team who was counting on her.

"Do you suspect any member of your team has engaged in unauthorized data transfers?" Lisa asked.

Lily hesitated only a second. "No. But I do believe someone is using our infrastructure to hide behind us."

Lisa raised her eyebrows slightly, interest piqued. "That's a serious allegation."

"It's not an allegation," Lily snapped. "It's a probability."

Gabriel's gaze flicked toward her—just once. Quick. Sharp. But Lily caught it.

And when he looked away again, she leaned back in her chair, eyes narrowed with steel. She could play this game too.

Lisa tapped her pen once against the edge of her clipboard before lifting her gaze.

"Why do you believe someone might be using your department's infrastructure to mask unauthorized activity?"

Lily didn't hesitate.

"Because I've seen access logs that don't match behavior patterns. IP signatures that bounce off internal servers before jumping to flagged destinations. They're masking themselves behind clean credentials—ours. Whoever it is, they know our systems intimately."

Lisa nodded slowly, jotting something down. "And you believe that someone is framing you."

"I believe someone wants to make it look like I'm either negligent or complicit. And I think they know exactly how to exploit the system to do it."

The room was silent but heavy.

Lisa looked up again, her eyes unreadable. "Have you recently shared your DHS access point with anyone outside your team?"

"No."

"Does anyone else have access to your home Wi-Fi or personal devices?"

"No."

"Have you had any unusual personal contact in the last month—calls, emails, unannounced visits?"

Lily's brow twitched.

"We already went over this," she said, her voice low and tight.

Lisa's tone didn't change. "Please comply, Ms. Silvano."

Lily stared at her, jaw clenching.

"No," Lily said. "No contact. Nothing out of the ordinary until—" Her voice faltered for the briefest moment. She didn't look at Gabriel. "Until the accident."

Lisa nodded again, her face unreadable as she made another note. Then, without pausing, she turned the page with that same precise, clinical detachment.

"Have you resumed drinking or recreational substance use since the incident?"

Lily's head snapped toward her, eyes narrowing. She felt heat rise in her chest—not just from the question, but from the knowledge that he was sitting right there. That Gabriel was listening to this. That Gabriel, who hadn't spoken a word to her, was now seated across the table while her private life was carved open in front of him like she was a specimen under a microscope.

She hated it.

She hated how Lisa's voice stayed smooth, professional, indifferent. She hated the question. But most of all, she hated that Gabriel didn't look away.

Instead, she saw his eyes flick to the file in front of Lisa. He reached for it slowly—deliberately—his fingers brushing the edge as he pulled it toward himself, opening it like he had every right to read what was written there.

Her trauma. Her history. Her hurt.

Lily's chest constricted.

"Again. That's not relevant to the breach," Lily said sharply, her voice laced with steel.

"It's relevant to your judgment and perception," Lisa replied coolly, without looking up. "Again. Please comply."

Lily's throat tightened. Her pulse pounded in her ears. Her vision blurred at the corners—not from fear, but from fury.

She didn't look at Gabriel. She wouldn't give him that.

"No," she said quietly. Firmly. "I haven't."

Her hands trembled just slightly against the edge of the armrest—but her voice didn't falter. She had nothing to hide.

Except, maybe, the part of her that wanted to ask him why he was letting her bleed in front of him without saying a word.

Lily sat rigid in her chair, her pulse still fluttering just beneath her skin, the aftershock of Lisa's question vibrating in her bones.

Gabriel turned another page in the file—slow, deliberate—and then, for the first time since she'd reentered the room, he spoke.

"Ms. Silvano," he said evenly, voice smooth but unmistakably familiar. "Your medical file indicates a seizure disorder. Can you tell me how often the episodes occur?"

Lily's head turned sharply toward him, disbelief flashing in her eyes.

"You're asking me medical questions now?" she said, her voice low and bitter. "Is this still about the breach—or is this just your way of catching up?"

Gabriel didn't flinch. The corner of Lisa's mouth twitched but it was barely noticeable.

"When was your last episode?" Gabriel pressed, ignoring the jab. His tone didn't change—still calm, still calculated—but she could see the tightness in his jaw. The way his hand curled slightly at the edge of the file.

Lily stared at him for a long, tense moment before answering.

"Two months ago. Mild. I didn't lose consciousness."

"Medication compliant?"

"Yes."

"Any known triggers you've recently encountered?"

Her breath caught for half a second.

"Yes," she said. "A ghost."

Silence fell over the room like a dropped stone. Gabriel's expression didn't shift, but his throat moved slightly as he swallowed.

He continued, steady. "Do you live alone?"

"No."

Gabriel paused. A split second reaction but Lily caught it.

"Who esle lives with you?" He asked, trying to keep his voice and expression neutral.

Lily turned toward Lisa, "Was all this information not recorded during our last interview? Or is there a lack odf preparation in your department?"

Before Lisa could answer, Gabriel voice spoke up once more, a tad bit louder as if pulling Lily's attention back to himself. "Next question. Any pets?"

Lily's mouth twisted. "Miso."

"Who has access to your residence?"

Lily's gaze sharpened, icy and pointed.

"Me. The building super. My best friend Wendy—who, in case you're curious, already knows all about my seizures, my dog, my password to my Facebook, my heartbreak, and the way I take my coffee in the morning."

She leaned forward just slightly, her voice steady but venom-laced.

"Are we done here?" She asked. "Or do you still want me to list fun facts about myself?"

Gabriel looked up at her then. And for the briefest moment, something flickered in his eyes. But it was gone before she could name it.

He set the file down and folded his hands, silent again.

Lily sat back in the chair, the wires still clinging to her skin, her chest rising and falling in shallow, controlled breaths. Her heart was still pounding—not from the polygraph, not from the questions—but from the weight of him sitting across from her. Silent now. Watching. Acting like this was all just procedure.

She turned to Lisa, her voice low and tight. "Am I done?"

Lisa glanced at the machine, then at the clipboard in front of her. "Almost."

"I'd like to leave," Lily said flatly, already reaching for the wires on her arm. "I have somewhere to be."

Lisa gently put a hand out. "You need to remain a little while longer."

Lily froze, her jaw clenching. "Why?"

"We need you to walk us through the unusual activity reports you mentioned earlier," Lisa said, flipping back a few pages. "The ones tied to remote credential access, server misfires, and off-hour logins."

Lily let out a quiet, breathless laugh—one without humor.

"You want me to sit here and calmly explain the reports I submitted weeks ago? Reports no one took seriously until the CIA got involved?"

Lisa didn't react. "Now that we're in full investigation mode, we need to hear your observations firsthand—what you noticed, when, and how your department responded. Step by step."

"And if I refuse?"

Lisa offered a tight, polite smile. "I wouldn't recommend it."

Lily stared at her, lips pressed together. Her gaze flicked briefly to Gabriel—he hadn't looked away once.

She swallowed the storm building inside her, sat up straighter, and folded her hands in her lap.

"Fine," she said, her voice clipped. "But I'm not repeating myself."

And then she began.

Because if she couldn't claw her way out of this room, she'd at least make sure they knew she had nothing to hide.

_________________________

Levi

Levi stood in the elevator, flanked by Beth, Thomas, and a few other members of his team. The tension was palpable. The room, though small, felt stifling as the doors closed and the group descended toward the press conference. The hum of the elevator mixed with the low murmur of conversation.

Beth was talking to him, trying to ease the pressure of the situation, though Levi could feel the weight of the headlines hanging over them.

"Levi, don't worry," she said, her voice light but sincere. "The public needs reassurance. Just stay calm. You've handled worse."

Levi didn't respond immediately. His eyes were locked on the polished floors beneath his feet, his mind elsewhere. The headlines still burned in his mind—Levi Silvano Diverts City Funds to Brother's Company—the words echoing like a drumbeat in his skull. He wasn't worried about the press conference; he was furious.

Thomas, ever the strategist, continued his briefing, leaning slightly toward Levi. "We'll stick to the facts, focus on the numbers, and address the allegations head-on. Keep it tight. No room for personal attacks. This is about the city's well-being, not your character."

Levi nodded curtly, though the last thing he wanted to do was stand there and defend himself. But he knew he had no choice. He ran his hand through his hair, trying to calm the storm brewing inside him.

Beth leaned closer, her voice lowering. "And remember, Levi, this isn't just about clearing your name. It's about making sure the public sees you as the leader they voted for."

Levi gave a tight, forced smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm not exactly worried about that right now," he muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.

Before anyone could respond, a sudden, blinding flash went off in the elevator, catching Levi completely off guard. His head snapped back instinctively, the sudden light causing him to squint, disoriented for a moment.

"What the hell—?" Levi started, but his voice trailed off as the light faded.

When his vision cleared, he saw Tara standing quietly near the back of the elevator, the camera in her hands slowly lowering as she looked up at him with wide eyes. She looked almost guilty, realizing what had just happened.

"I'm so sorry," Tara said quickly, her voice apologetic. "I didn't realize the flash was on."

Levi's eyes narrowed as he stared at her, irritation creeping into his voice. "Why are you taking photos at a time like this?" he asked sharply.

Tara shifted uncomfortably, her hands fumbling with the camera. "For your social media," she replied quietly, as though it was the most normal thing in the world.

Levi's patience snapped. His jaw clenched as he fought to keep his tone under control. "For my social media?" he repeated, his voice dripping with disbelief. "This is hardly the time for that, Ms. Sitara."

She looked down at her camera, clearly uncomfortable under his gaze. "I thought... you know, it's important to keep the image up. I mean, your presence online—"

Levi cut her off, his voice now colder than before. "Focus on your job, which is to make copies, go on coffee runs, and stay the hell out of my way . The last thing I need right now is to be photographed for social media. We have a crisis to handle."

Tara flinched under the sharpness of his words, her cheeks reddening with embarrassment. She pulled back agasint the wall sof the elevator as if trying to create space between herself and Levi.

"Like the headlines aren't your own doing," Tara muttered under her breath. She assumed her voice was barely audible. But as Levi's eyes narrowed and he turned around to look back at her, Tara prayed the elevator would crash and kill all of them instantly.

A flash of anger lit up Levi's expression. "What did you just say?" His voice was low and challenging.

Tara's heart skipped a beat. She swallowed and opened her mouth.

"Like the headlines aren't your own doing," she repeated herself.

Levi's eyes narrowed, his expression one of disbelief at the audacity of what he'd just heard. The question he'd asked was rhetorical—an expression of anger, not an invitation for her to confirm it.

For a moment, he stood frozen, stunned that she had actually repeated herself. His brow furrowed, the shock of her boldness hitting him like a slap. His mouth opened as if to respond, but the words stuck in his throat for a moment, his anger momentarily displaced by disbelief.

"You—" He paused, his gaze locking onto her as if searching for some sign that she realized what she had just done. "You actually said that again?"

"You asked me what I said," Tara said, her voice a little quieter but still unwavering, as though she was genuinely trying to justify herself. Her eyes looked around at the faces in the elevator before coming back to Levi.

"That not—-" Levi stopped himself, wondering why he was trying to explain to her what a rhetorical question was.

"Levi," Beth spoke up, her voice steady, but with a hint of urgency. "Don't take your anger out on Tara. We have enough to deal with right now."

​​Levi turned his gaze away from Tara, feeling a strange mix of confusion and irritation swirl in his chest. Her words echoed in his mind, her logic completely baffling to him.

What kind of person would double down like that?

He couldn't understand why she hadn't just backed off, why she'd insisted on repeating herself. The thought of her cluelessness gnawed at him, making the entire situation feel more absurd than it already was.

But there was no time to dwell on it. He had a press conference to face, and the weight of the scandal hanging over his head loomed much larger than anything Tara had just said.

Beth moved quickly to guide Levi out of the elevator. He let her take the lead, his steps slow but determined as they made their way toward the stage. The noise of the reporters and the flashing cameras grew louder with each step, but Levi pushed Tara—and everything else—out of his mind.

His focus narrowed to the task at hand. As he stepped onto the stage, the weight of the press conference hit him like a cold rush of air. The room was packed with cameras, the buzz of anticipation making the air feel thick. Levi straightened his posture, ignoring the way his pulse quickened. He had been through worse before. This was just another obstacle, another moment to prove himself.

Levi stood at the podium, his eyes scanning the room, taking in the sea of reporters ready to pounce on any word he said. The headlines still lingered in the back of his mind, but he shoved them aside, focusing on the present.

"Good afternoon everyone," Levi cleared his throat. "I've gathered you all here today to address the recent headlines directly," Levi began, his tone clear and measured, though the tension in his voice betrayed the weight of the moment. "There have been rumors, distortions, and accusations made about the allocation of public funds. Let me make thing very clear—those funds were not, I repeat, were not given to my brother's development company for the waterfront properties."

He paused, letting the words settle in the air, watching the reporters scribble down notes, their attention fully on him. The cameras flashed relentlessly, but Levi didn't flinch. He had anticipated the questions, the scrutiny, and he was ready for them.

"I took an oath to serve this city and I intend to uphold that promise," he continued, his eyes sharpening, "the money in question is being used to restore and renovate a cornerstone of this city—the historic Astoria School for the blind and the deaf."

A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd, and Levi took a slow, deliberate breath, knowing he had their attention.

"This school," he went on, his voice growing more resolute, "has served the community for generations, providing education and resources for children and families who are blind or deaf. But it is in dire need of renovations. The building is outdated, the facilities no longer meet the needs of the students, and the condition of the structure is only getting worse. The funds I've directed toward this renovation will ensure that these students—our children—have access to the facilities they deserve."

Levi leaned forward slightly, his hands resting firmly on the podium as he spoke with more conviction, his words carefully chosen.

"These renovations will allow us to provide state-of-the-art learning environments, offering modern accommodations that will support every student, every family. It's not just about fixing a building—it's about fixing the future. It's about making sure that the families who rely on this school can send their children here with the knowledge that they will be receiving the very best education and support possible."

He took a brief moment to scan the room, his eyes locking with a few reporters who were listening intently, awaiting his next words.

"I know that trust in public officials is fragile, especially in times like these. But I ask you to understand this: I am not doing this for personal gain. I am doing this to serve our community. These renovations will help so many families who have children with hearing or visual impairments. They will open doors for opportunities that, right now, are inaccessible."

Levi straightened up, his voice steady and firm as he addressed the room one last time. "I understand that there will be questions, and I am open to them. But I will not stand by while lies and misinformation threaten to undermine the progress we're making for this city. This is about the future of our children. And that is what matters."

He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in before giving a final, deliberate nod.

"Thank you."

As Levi stepped back from the podium, the camera flashes exploded in a chaotic burst, the noise deafening as reporters scrambled to catch every word he had just said. He knew this wouldn't erase the doubts, but he had said what needed to be said. The rest, now, was out of his hands.

Levi's heart was still pounding as he turned away from the podium. The buzz of camera flashes had barely subsided, and reporters were still shouting questions, trying to squeeze one last soundbite out of him.

As Levi walked, a sudden vibration in his pocket caught him off guard. His phone. Without thinking, he pulled it out, glancing down at the screen as he continued his brisk pace. He quickly unlocked it, his brow furrowing when he saw the familiar unknown number.

The text was simple. Two words.

Well played, Mr. President.

_________________________

Theo

Theo pulled up to the school parking lot, the sun just beginning to dip behind the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow across the quiet street. He was early, as usual, his car parked right at the curb where he could easily see Violet when she came out. His hands rested on the steering wheel as he waited, glancing back at Luken and Thea in the backseat, both of them whispering quietly to each other, the excitement of the afternoon still palpable.

As the bell rang, the school doors opened, and Violet's small figure appeared in the crowd of children. Her face lit up the moment she saw Theo's car, her curly hair bouncing with each excited step as she rushed over. Theo couldn't help but smile at the sight of her enthusiasm, the little girl already beaming, her wide brown eyes shining. Violet tugged on her teacher's arm and pointed toward Theo's car.

"My uncle is here," she said, pointing him out.

Theo smiled, stepping out of the car and moving to meet her. Before she even had a chance to fully reach him, he scooped her up into the air with a joyful laugh, lifting her off her feet as if she weighed no more than a feather.

Violet let out a delighted squeal, wrapping her arms around his neck and laughing. "Teddy!" she cried, her voice full of pure happiness.

Theo held her close for a moment. "Hey, kiddo!" he said, spinning her around a little before gently setting her back down. He then reached over to hold the car door open for her, offering a playful bow. "After you, m'lady."

Violet's eyes lit up, and she laughed as she climbed into the car. "Thank you," she said, her tone filled with gratitude, though she was still bouncing with energy.

Theo grinned, watching her slip into her seat with ease, and then he leaned in to help her with her seatbelt.

"You're welcome," he said, closing the door behind her.

Theo then moved back around the car to the driver's side, giving Luken and Thea a glance in the rearview mirror before starting the engine.

"Alright, team," Theo said with a smile, glancing at Violet, who was now settled in beside Thea. "We're going shopping. Thea needs new boots for her riding lessons, and we're going to make it a fun one."

Violet's face lit up again, and Thea immediately leaned over to her.

"We're going to pick out the best boots," she said excitedly. "And then we can ice cream at the Plaza Hotel like Eloise."

Luken, sitting beside them, couldn't help but chime in, "And we'll get Legos too, right dad?"

Theo laughed and gave a nod as he pulled out of the parking lot, the sound of his kids' voices filling the car.

Theo drove through the quiet streets, the hum of the car's engine mixing with the soft chatter of the kids in the backseat. The autumn sun was beginning to set, but there was a lingering warmth in the air, a calm that seemed to settle over everything. Luken was talking about the new friend he made, Thea was discussing her riding lessons, and Violet was happily recounting her day at school, their voices filled with a spark of joy.

As Theo pulled into the parking lot beside Saks, Theo felt a sense of happiness bloom within him. He parked the car and got out to open the doors for them, watching as they filed out, their energy contagious.

Inside the store, the atmosphere was soft and elegant, the shelves lined with delicate dresses, shimmering jewelry, and accessories that caught the light just right. Violet and Thea wandered ahead, their eyes wide with wonder.

Thea, always the careful one, moved with a graceful focus, her fingers lightly grazing over the dresses, admiring the way the fabric shimmered as she passed by. Violet, full of curiosity, bounced from one display to another, her eyes taking in everything, the possibility of finding something special in every corner.

Theo followed them through the store, keeping a quiet eye on the girls as they made their way down the aisles. Shop assistants, eager to help, appeared at every turn, offering suggestions or simply waiting for a cue. But the girls were so absorbed in the displays, their faces lit with the thrill of it all, that Theo couldn't help but smile.

He caught sight of Thea pausing in front of a glass case, her attention fixed on something inside. Her small finger traced the edge of the display, and her lips parted in a soft, fascinated sigh.

"Look at this, Vee," she said, her voice filled with wonder. She was pointing at a delicate gold necklace, a small diamond pony hanging from it, its intricate details catching the light.

Violet leaned in beside her, her expression just as captivated. "It's so pretty," she murmured, her fingers almost reaching out as if she could touch it through the glass.

Theo stepped closer. He could see how much they loved the necklace, the way their eyes sparkled as they admired it together. He turned to the sales assistant who had been patiently hovering nearby.

"Could you please take that necklace out for the girls to try on?" he asked, his voice warm but firm, a father's protective instinct behind his words.

The sales assistant, ready for the request, smiled and nodded. "Of course, sir," she said, stepping forward to unlock the display case and gently retrieve the necklace.

Theo watched as the assistant placed the necklace in front of the girls, who looked at it like they were being offered a treasure. Thea's hands reached out delicately, and Violet's eyes widened with excitement.

"May we try it on?" Thea asked, her voice soft but eager.

Theo nodded, his heart swelling with affection as he watched them. "Go ahead," he said with a soft chuckle. "It's all yours to try on."

The girls beamed, their faces glowing with pure delight, and for a moment, Theo couldn't help but feel a quiet, contented joy. He pulled out his phone and snapped a photo, wanting to capture the moment Thea and Violet were gifted their first diamond poney.

___________________

Lily

The hum of machines filled the workspace, a low, constant background noise broken only by the occasional beep of alerts and the quiet tap of keys. The lights were dimmed slightly to make the glowing monitors easier to read—rows and rows of screens lining the far wall, each displaying scrolling code, live data maps, firewall activity, and anomaly logs.

Lily's team was asked to leave. Lisa requested the floor be cleared. What Lily was about to show them was sensitive.

The glass walls around Lily's office gave a clear view of the entire cybersecurity hub, but inside, it felt like a fishbowl. Her desk was neat—too neat. Every pen aligned, every file stacked. She needed the order.

She stood behind her desk now, Lisa and Gabriel on the other side of her, watching her as she unlocked the system. With a swipe of her badge and a quick password, the monitors lit up—three large screens filled with dense logs, timestamps, and heat maps that pulsed with activity.

"Everything I submitted in the report is here," Lily said, her voice tight but professional. "These are the remote access logs I flagged. See that?" She pointed to the top right screen. "It's one of our clearance tokens being used—off-hours, multiple pings from different cities. It's bouncing through internal servers to clean the signature. Smart enough to hide it. But not smart enough to erase the trail entirely."

Lisa leaned in, nodding, arms crossed, absorbing the information with quiet focus.

Gabriel said nothing but Lily felt him move before she saw him. His shadow fell slightly over her as he stepped closer to the monitor. She froze when she felt the heat of him just behind her.

He leaned forward, one hand bracing lightly against the edge of her desk as he squinted at the data onscreen over her shoulder.

Close.

Too close.

His scent hit Lily like a punch to the ribs—subtle, familiar. Clean soap, a trace of cedar, something deeper beneath it that made her stomach twist. It hadn't changed. Lily's chest tightened. She didn't move, but her hand faltered ever so slightly on the mouse.

Gabriel didn't speak—but she could feel it, the tension in him, too. The way his jaw clenched as he exhaled slowly, like proximity alone was undoing his grip on the carefully drawn line between past and present.

Their eyes met for half a second when she glanced sideways—just long enough for her to see it.

That same pain. Still there. Still tucked into the quiet corner of his gaze like it had never left. She quickly looked away and clicked on the next screen.

Professional. Focused. But her heart was a wild, traitorous thing behind her ribs.

Gabriel's voice broke the silence. "These access points—do they ever overlap with your team's scheduled shifts?"

Lily didn't answer right away.

She pushed back from her chair, needing distance—space to breathe. The warmth of his presence still clung to the air around her, and it was suffocating. Without a word, she stepped aside, walking to the opposite side of the desk to face him from across the room.

"No," she said finally, crossing her arms. "I checked every rotation, every credential. No overlap. Whoever did this either cloned a token or used administrative override, and only three of us have that kind of access."

Gabriel nodded, absorbing her answer, but his eyes lingered on her a second longer than necessary.

Lisa remained glued to the screen, scrolling through logs, flipping tabs like pieces of a puzzle she couldn't quite connect. As the two agents reviewed her work, Lily's phone buzzed quietly in her blazer pocket. She slipped it out and glanced down.

It was a text from Theo. A photo. Lily tapped it open.

It was Violet, her cheeks flushed with joy, standing in the middle of a store with Thea, both girls holding matching sunglasses and making kissy faces at the camera. A soft smile touched Lily's lips—small but real. The tightness in her chest eased just enough to make room for warmth.

But when she looked up, Gabriel was watching her.

Not casually. Not passively.

His eyes had narrowed slightly, brow furrowed in quiet curiosity. He said nothing, but Lily could see the gears turning.

She quickly started to put the phone away—when it lit up again. This time, the screen flashed with an incoming call.

Theo's name.

Lily hesitated. She knew what that call was. Violet always wanted to talk to her after school—to share every detail, every small joy, every snack and sparkle.

Across the room, Gabriel was still watching. She didn't need to look to know. She could feel it—his stare, heavy and deliberate, laced with restrained curiosity. Like he wasn't sure if he had the right to wonder... but couldn't help himself.

He didn't know who was calling. But Lily knew he was listening. And that made her thumb press accept just a little more firmly.

She lifted the phone to her ear, her voice softening instantly, shifting into something warm and instinctual—full of the love she couldn't hide if she tried.

"Hi, baby."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw it.

Gabriel stiffened.

His posture didn't change much—but his attention sharpened. And she caught the smallest twitch of his jaw, like he was bracing himself for something he couldn't name.

"Mommy!" Violet's voice rang out, bright and animated. "Teddy bought me a diamond pony!"

Lily let out a sudden laugh, unfiltered and real. "Wh-what?"

She could feel Gabriel watching her now—not just politely, but intensely. Like every word she said was another thread he didn't know was unraveling something inside him.

"Thea and I have matching necklaces now," Violet said proudly. "Like you and Rosie!"

"Aww, my love," Lily cooed. "That's so sweet. I love that."

She didn't glance at Gabriel again, but she knew—knew—he was still listening.

Trying not to.

Failing.

"Are you home yet, Mommy?" Violet asked, her voice lowering, cozy and soft.

Lily checked her watch. "Hmm... not yet. But I'm leaving soon. I promise."

"I miss you," Violet whispered.

Lily's chest tightened, the affection in her voice deepening. "I miss you too. I'll see you when I get home, okay?"

"Ms. Reddy asked me to remind you that the school bake sale is tomorrow," Violet added quickly. "And you said you were going to bake cupcakes. Do you remember?"

"I remember," Lily said with a soft nod. "And I promise I'll make it happen as soon as I get home."

"Okay," Violet said. "I love you."

Lily smiled. She hesitated just a second—aware of Gabriel's presence, the pressure building like a storm behind her back. Then she said it anyway.

"I love you so much more."

And that's when she fully saw it.

Gabriel's jaw clenched—tight. Too tight.

A flicker crossed his face—so brief, so contained—but Lily caught it.

A flinch.

Like her words had struck something deep. Like hearing her say that—so full of love, so far removed from him—had caused him physical pain.

She held his gaze for a beat, her expression unreadable.

"Bye, baby."

And then Lily ended the call. She set the phone down gently, as if nothing had happened.

But inside, her heart was pounding—because for the first time since he walked back into her life, she wasn't the only one hurting.

_______________________

Rose

Rose sat on the edge of her desk, her long fingers scrolling idly across the table as she reviewed some notes. The quietness of the office was a welcome relief from the usual tension she had been battling during her sessions with Saint. She hadn't had time to think about him since the last session, but the moment she heard the heavy footsteps of the guards approaching, she felt the familiar stir of frustration creep back in.

The door swung open, and the guards entered, leading Saint into the room. He moved with that same detached energy, his gaze fixed forward, his hands cuffed in the usual chains that clinked softly with each step. As they moved toward the sofa, Rose didn't immediately look at him. She kept her focus on the screen in front of her.

The guards stopped in front of her, waiting for her to acknowledge them, but Rose didn't rush. She glanced up from her tablet, meeting their eyes but not looking at Saint. There was a moment of silence, and then she spoke, her voice casual, almost too calm.

"Oh shoot. I forgot to tell you," Rose said, her gaze briefly flicking to Saint without fully acknowledging him. "I'm not going to be able to meet with him today."

The guards exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable, before one of them cleared his throat. "What would you like us to do, then?"

Rose took a slow breath, her fingers still scrolling across the screen, her eyes now turning to look at Saint. She studied him for a moment, watching the way he stood there, seemingly unaffected by her words. But as she met his gaze, she couldn't help but notice the slight tension in his posture, the way his jaw tightened ever so slightly.

"Take him back, I guess" she said with a nonchalant shrug.

As the guards stepped toward him to escort him out, Rose caught the look in Saint's eyes. For a brief second, there was a flash of surprise, something flickering beneath his usual indifference. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but Rose saw it. The realization that she had just dismissed him, sent him away without a second thought, seemed to shake him in a way she hadn't expected.

Her lips curled into a small, satisfied smile, a quiet sense of gratification washing over her. 

PSA: Evie is not in this book. I have given Levi a new storyline.