"We're doing our best," Rio replied cautiously. "We've reached their base, but…"
As he paused, Liana snapped, "But what?" Alena flinched, clutching her angel's hand tightly. Liana noticed and gently squeezed back, a small reassuring smile to calm the child.
Alena mirrored the smile, relief softening her features. Meanwhile, Ethilia's gaze stayed fixed, anxious and alert.
"It's as if they wanted us to find them," Rio's voice quivered over the line. "They know our moves… every step, everything." Liana's jaw tightened, and she cut the call without another word.
Moments later, a string of photos and videos arrived from Rio. Ethilia peered over Liana's shoulder as she played the files. Their breaths caught. The footage showed Ethilia and Liana at the bus stand. And many other evidence of being watched, followed.
Their eyes met, wide with fear, both struggling to understand what they were seeing. Then, Liana swiped to another image. It was a wall marked with ominous red letters.
She zoomed in, her heart tightening as she held Alena closer as she read.
"Found the sound recorder in your room, didn't you? You thought I wouldn't find another way? That's your mistake, princess…"
Ethilia's breath hitched, her heart pounding hard. She looked up at Liana, who was already staring back at her.
Alena glanced between them, her small voice breaking the silence. "Angel, what happened?"
Liana quickly set the phone aside and stroked Ethilia's cheek, forcing a calm smile. "Nothing, cutie… just some work."
Ethilia caught that fleeting look in her eyes. Hesitantly, she rested a hand on Liana's shoulder. "Someone… is after you?"
Liana's smile faltered. She looked down and whispered, "I'm sorry. Maybe because of me, now you and Alena are in danger too."
Her gaze shifted to the little girl, who had already picked up her phone and was struggling to unlock it. Liana chuckled softly, leaned over, and swiped it open for her. Alena's face lit up as she dove straight into a game.
Ethilia squeezed her shoulder firmly. "Don't say that. It's not like my life was any safer before you came. At least now… Alena finally has someone who loves her besides me."
Liana's expression softened. She reached over and ruffled Alena's hair. "She's too cute. Just like you." The words slipped out before she could stop them.
Ethilia's eyes widened at the sudden compliment, heat rushing to her cheeks. She covered it with a small laugh. "Thanks for the praise." Her tone carried a teasing lilt, which made Liana chuckle too.
Her gaze drifted back to Alena, who was deeply focused on the colorful game. "And I assume you downloaded that just for her?"
Liana grinned with a nod, "Of course. I installed it on the way here."
Ethilia rolled her eyes, though a faint smile betrayed her. But then, it quickly faded, replaced by a sharp gaze as she remembered the abrupt cut of her call.
Liana noticed the sudden shift in her expression. Her brow furrowed as confusion flickered across her face., "What happened? Did I do something wrong?"
Crossing her arms, Ethilia shot her a sharp look. "You cut my call without even answering. Care to explain?"
For a moment, Liana was stunned. Then she let out a sudden laugh, half disbelief, half amusement. Liana was almost amused by Ethilia's audacity. The woman who once cut off their entire connection was now sulking over a single dropped call.
Ethilia tilted her head, genuinely confused. "What's so funny?"
Liana bit her lip, forcing herself to stop before she ruined the fragile comfort that was finally forming between them. She set Alena down from her lap on the bed, where the child happily rolled onto her stomach, still tapping at the screen.
Liana didn't know what to say. She couldn't exactly tell Ethilia about her phone being tracked or anything else.
Ethilia, however, caught the hesitation immediately. Her brow furrowed, and a sharp edge entered her voice.
"Don't you dare come up with an excuse," she said, leaning back on her hands. "And if you've forgotten, let me remind you… you've always been a terrible liar."
Liana groaned, rolling her eyes. "Fine. My phone was being tracked." She blurted it out flatly.
Ethilia's jaw dropped, her eyes wide as she stared at Liana. "What?" she asked, a mix of shock and disbelief in her voice.
"Mm." Liana stretched her arms behind her head as if it were nothing.
"That's why I cut the call. I didn't want anyone overhearing how you treat the best visual and trend-setter, Miss Liana Celeste." Her tone turned playful, trying to lighten the heavy truth with a joke.
Alena giggled, glancing up from the game. She didn't understand everything, but the teasing made her laugh. "Mommy is like that with everyone!"
Liana laughed, the sound bright and teasing, and high-fived Alena with a playful grin.
Ethilia placed her hands firmly on her hips, pretending to glare mockingly. "You two… are actually teaming up against me now?" she said, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Liana smirked, mirroring Ethilia's posture and leaning slightly forward. "Oh yes… we definitely are," she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Alena squealed with laughter, and soon Ethilia lunged forward to tickle her daughter. Liana quickly scooped Alena up to protect her, but that only made Ethilia attack Liana instead.
The room filled with laughter, unaware that just outside the door, the predator stood, a smirk playing on their lips.
The figure sparked a cigar and strolled down the corridor toward the elevator. "Smile all you want… let's see how long it lasts," they muttered, voice low and chilling.
But inside the room, Liana finally caught Ethilia's wrists mid-tickle and pushed her down onto the bed.
Straddling her, she pinned her arms above her head with playful dominance, as Ethilia writhed beneath her, "Hey… leave me!"
Liana smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Now… it's revenge time," she teased, leaning in as her fingers darted forward to tickle Ethilia back.
"Angel! Mommy!" Alena squealed with joy, joining in as she used her tiny hands to tickle Ethilia's sides. She never got these moments, and now that she has them, she was enjoying them.
Ethilia's laughter turned helpless, tears prickling her eyes from the force of it. "Liana! Stop!" She kicked her legs weakly, but the harder she fought, the tighter Liana's grip became.
Finally, when Liana noticed Ethilia's face flushed red, she released her wrists. Alena also collapsed onto her mother's chest, giggling.
Ethilia wrapped her arms protectively around her daughter, still breathless, her eyes glistening. But this time, her tears weren't from pain. They were from joy.
Liana let out a low chuckle. But then, as her gaze fell to their tangled position, her breath caught. The intimacy of the moment was dangerously tempting, making her heart race.
Carefully, she shifted away and lay beside them instead, unwilling to let the mood sour.
Somehow, Ethilia noticed the position, the way their bodies were tangled together, but just like Liana, she also refused to acknowledge it.