Liana handed Ethilia a tissue. "Wipe your face… and—" She rummaged through the glove compartment and pulled out a handkerchief. "Here, try this… your hair. It won't dry instantly, but at least it won't make you sick."
Ethilia's hands trembled as she accepted the tissue and handkerchief. She never expected Liana to actually help her—especially in this pouring storm.
Liana started the car and pulled into the wet streets. Ethilia's red, puffy eyes didn't go unnoticed, but Liana wasn't sure how to ask.
Ethilia carefully wiped her hair with the damp handkerchief, shivering in her soaked clothes. Liana adjusted the temperature in the car, giving her a little warmth.
The rain hammered harder against the windshield, and Liana drove cautiously. Ethilia glanced at her, then lowered her gaze to her lap. "Why… are you helping me?"
Liana's hands tightened on the steering wheel. She didn't answer immediately, murmuring instead, "Your apartment?"
Ethilia looked up briefly and nodded. "Yes… but Alena's at daycare."
Liana nodded slowly, eyes fixed on the road ahead. But unbeknownst to her, two cars were following. One was Alex, there for her security, and the other… there to destroy her.
As she stopped at the red light, she noticed the car beside hers. It was black, the windows tinted, and she couldn't see who was inside. She let it be. When the light turned green, she drove on, and Ethilia sneezed, making her chuckle softly.
Ethilia frowned and glanced at Liana. Her heart skipped a beat at how effortlessly beautiful Liana looked, but she shoved the thought aside. Liana was an idol—someone untouchable. She was just a single mother, with no proper degree and a reputation she could barely repair.
The road was almost empty due to the storm, which helped Liana keep an eye on Ethilia. She noticed the subtle gaze directed at her and smirked briefly. Her smirk vanished the moment a bike appeared from the opposite side. She tried to steer left, but the black car blocked her path.
Liana slammed the brake instantly, making Ethilia jerk forward. She gasped, turning to Liana. "What—?"
Liana's eyes locked on the biker, who had pulled out a gun. Her breath hitched. Before Ethilia could ask anything, Liana grabbed her, pushing her down and shielding her head.
A loud gunshot cracked through the rain. Ethilia flinched, covering her ears, while Liana shut her eyes and whispered, "God…"
Meanwhile, Alex, driving just behind Liana, and Mark—whom Alex had picked up from the café—noticed the gunfire. Mark jumped from the car and dropped low beside Liana's bumper, firing toward the biker. Alex slid around to the rear and fired once at the black car's back window.
They suspected the car was part of the attack. As Mark and Alex returned fire, the biker shot back, then took a sharp U-turn and sped away aggressively. The black car accelerated as well, but not before opening the passenger-side window for a final shot.
As the car sped away, Alex knocked on Liana's window. Liana was still holding Ethilia close, keeping her head down as well. When she finally saw Alex's face, her shoulders eased slightly.
Her gaze flickered to the woman beside her first. Ethilia was trembling, her face pale, eyes wide with unspoken questions. Liana lowered the window. "Alex… what was that?"
"The attackers, boss. I told you—"
Before he could finish, Liana cut him off sharply. "Enough. Go back to your car and follow. You're getting soaked."
He exhaled heavily, running a hand through his wet hair before heading back to his vehicle. Mark followed right behind him.
When they were gone, Ethilia finally spoke, her voice trembling. "Attackers?" She looked at Liana, confusion and fear mixing in her gaze.
Liana's fingers tightened on the steering wheel as she started the car again. "Nothing you need to worry about," she said quietly. "I'll drop you at your place."
Ethilia hesitated. She could feel it—Liana was hiding something. But she didn't dare push. Instead, she turned her eyes to the rain-streaked window and whispered, "Liana…"
Liana only hummed, still trying to steady her breathing. Ethilia studied her for a moment, noticing the faint tremor in her hands. Her voice softened. "We need to pick up Alena too. She's still at daycare."
Liana nodded slowly. "Alright." She made a sharp U-turn, heading toward the daycare. The silence between them grew heavy, both lost in their own fears.
Liana was shaken—not for herself, but because Ethilia had been dragged into this danger. Ethilia, on the other hand, was terrified… because now she knew the danger was meant for Liana.
When they arrived, Liana parked and got out quickly. "Stay here," she said firmly.
Ethilia opened her mouth to argue, but stopped at the tone of her voice. Instead, she lowered her gaze, watching Liana stride away.
"Why does she have to do so much… for me?" Ethilia leaned back against the seat, eyes closing. A memory rose unbidden—Liana's voice, deep and steady, echoing in her mind.
'No matter what happens… I won't let you get hurt. If you're ever in trouble, you'll always find me there—standing like a rock beside you.'
'I'll hold you to it. You know that, smartass.'
Her lips curved faintly. She had held onto those words, even when life tore them apart. How could she ever blame Liana for not coming, when she had been the one to choose misery over love?
Her thoughts scattered when the door opened. Liana stepped in with Alena by her side. The little girl climbed into the backseat, her smile lighting up the car. Liana slid behind the wheel again.
Ethilia frowned. "They let you in so easily?"
Liana nodded. "Yes. Alena recognized me—and so did the guard." She let out a small huff, adjusting the mirror.
From the back, Alena giggled. "Angel is famous…"
Both women chuckled softly at the child's innocent words. The rest of the drive passed more peacefully, filled with Alena's curious questions about the car and why Liana was so well-known—questions that made Liana laugh and Ethilia, for a moment, forget the storm outside.
______________
Far from the rain-swept street, someone paced the length of a dim room, fury buzzing under every step. Screens covered the wall, each showing different angles of the street—cars, the glare of headlights slicing through the rain.
He stopped and glared at the man in front of him, voice sharp. "You can't even finish off one woman?"
The biker lowered his head, hands trembling. "Sorry, boss. We didn't realize Alex and Mark would show up so fast."
The man in the mask snatched the biker by the collar and shoved him against the wall. "Next time you fail and I'll shoot you myself." His words were cold enough to kill.
The biker swallowed hard and stumbled back. The masked man walked to a low couch and sat, fingers steepled as he turned his attention to the monitors. He zoomed one feed until the image of Liana pulling Ethilia into the car filled the largest screen.
He pointed. "This woman—find her. If Liana is willing to go out in the storm to pick her up, then she's a weakness we can use."
The biker nodded quickly, panic still raw in his voice. The masked man's mouth twisted into a cruel smile. "We'll bait her. Make it personal," he said. "I've been hunting Liana for a year. This time, I'll make sure she walks right into our hands."