EIRA POV:
I've been pacing the room for half an hour, completely restless. My head feels like it will explode. What I saw today in college—it doesn't make sense. Something's missing.
Adrain and Claira. I've never seen them together. Then why was Claira so terrified today? Why did Peter want her to leave this place so badly? Why was she begging?
Adrain… could he really…? No. Even if I try, I can't imagine him doing that.
God! I'll die like this. Questions are eating me alive, and I don't have a single answer. The only person who can clear this mess is Claira. She has the answers. She must.
But I don't know where she lives.
Andy! Yes. Andy knows her well.
I ran to Andy's door and banged on it. "Andy! Andy!"
She opened it, surprised. "Hi! After so many days. What happened suddenly?"
"Nothing… I just—I need your help."
"Sure, tell me."
"Do you… do you have Claira's address? I… I need her help with a project." My voice cracked, and I cursed myself for sounding so suspicious.
Andy stared at me silently. Too long. She looked… lost in thought.
"Andy? Andy!"
She blinked. "Yes, sorry… I was just…" She quickly scribbled something from her phone. "Here. This is her address."
"Thank you!" I grabbed it.
But before I could leave, she stopped me.
"Eira," she said softly, "I know you also think Adrain did it. But believe me—he can never hurt anyone. I don't know why he lies, but he's not that kind of person. He's good. Believe me."
Her words sank into me, heavy.
I forced a nod. "Hmm."
I left, but my mind was in chaos. I wish what she said was true. Deep down… maybe I already believe it. He isn't bad. He can't be. But he admitted it himself.
No. No. Stop thinking about him. Focus! Tessy's engagement. I need to stop it. Maybe Claira can help me get proof against Peter.
I looked at the paper tightly clutched in my hand.
Within minutes, I had changed clothes, grabbed my purse, and was running for a taxi.
"Taxi! Taxi!" Why don't they stop when people are literally dying on the inside? Finally, one did.
I handed the address. "Please, fast!"
One hour later…
"Mam! Mam!"
Someone shook my shoulder. I opened my eyes to see the driver. Damn it! I'd fallen asleep in the taxi.
"Sorry! I… I didn't—"
"It's fine, Mam. We've reached." He pointed.
I paid quickly, embarrassed, and stepped out.
It was a medium-sized house, away from the city noise. Quiet. Too quiet.
I knocked. Five minutes later, the door opened.
Claira.
She looked pale. Terrified. As if she'd been expecting a monster to show up. Sweat trickled down her temple.
"Are you… okay?" I asked gently.
"You… you're Eira, right?" she stammered.
I nodded. "Can I come in?"
She hesitated, then moved aside.
The house was simple but cozy. Modern, but not flashy. I sat down, waiting. She sat opposite, silent, tense.
"Your house is beautiful," I said just to break the silence.
She gave a weak smile. But it didn't touch her eyes.
Something was very wrong.
"Claira, I… I want to talk to you about—"
KNOCK! KNOCK!
The sound froze us both.
She shot up from the sofa, nervous.
Who could it be? Oh God. Adrain. My whole body went cold. If he finds me here—
I panicked, scanning the room. Where do I hide?? The sofa—too small. Table—glass. Curtains—transparent. Damn it, what kind of house has no hiding places?!
The door creaked open. No choice—I dashed into the nearest room, shutting the door quietly. My chest heaved as I exhaled.
It was dusty, suffocating, dimly lit by a single bulb. A storeroom.
I pressed my ear to the crack of the door.
"What took you so long?" A voice. Deep. Calm. Dangerous.
Adrain.
"Are you okay?" His tone was sharp, suspicious.
"I…" Claira's voice trembled.
"Looking for something?" His voice tightened.
"I… no—"
"Have you eaten?"
ADRAIN POV:
What is wrong with Claira? She's fidgeting, avoiding my eyes. Acting like she's hiding something.
"Claira, listen to me," I snapped. "I won't leave you alone. You'll do everything I say."
Her eyes filled instantly, tears spilling down. Did I… sound too harsh? I clenched my jaw. No apologies.
"Claira—"
"You don't understand!" she burst out, sobbing.
"Nothing will happen to you," I tried, softer now.
"You… you don't know him," she cried. "He'll kill me. He'll kill my baby."
Her words stabbed me. Baby?
"I'm sorry. I can't tell anyone."
"You don't have a choice."
"I won't tell!" she screamed suddenly, broken. "I won't tell anyone that monster—Peter—is the father of my child!"
Her confession shattered the air.
"This is my child! Mine alone!" she wailed. "If anyone knows the truth, he'll kill us both."
Her sobs grew louder, rawer, as she sank to the floor, clutching her stomach, trembling.
I knelt, cupping her tear-streaked face. "Claira, look at me."
Her red eyes met mine.
"I won't let that bastard touch you again. Or your child. I promise—I'll protect you both. No matter what."
I meant every word.
But before I could say more—
A piercing scream echoed through the house.
EIRA POV:
Peter… is the father.
My brain froze. My mouth hung open. I… I couldn't breathe. That jerk. That disgusting, vile monster! That's why Claira was so scared. That's why he wanted her gone.
I wanted to crush his head under a road roller.
Something dropped on my shoulder. Dust?
I turned my head.
And froze.
A lizard.
A freaking, poisonous, hideous lizard was crawling on me.
"AAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
I lost it. Jumping, thrashing my arms, shaking my body like a maniac. "Get it off, get it off, get it OFF!"
God, please, not me! Why me?!
After flailing like a madwoman, I finally stopped, panting hard. I prayed it was gone.
And then… I looked up.
Straight into eyes darker than midnight.
Adrain.
Standing in front of me.
His stare burned like fire, black with fury.
Shit.
"What the hell are you doing here?"