******Harper
I found Elora standing near the kitchen counter, her hands wrapped around a cup of tea she hadn't touched in the last five minutes. Her eyes were somewhere else, not here—not in this small, dimly lit room. I could see the reflection of worry in them, like she was staring at something far beyond the walls.
"Elora," I said softly, leaning against the doorway. "I need to ask you something… and I want you to be honest with me."
Her gaze shifted to me, but the hesitation in her eyes didn't disappear. "About what?" she asked, her voice a little guarded.
"What's inside city hall?" I asked. My tone was firm but not accusatory—I didn't want her shutting down.
Elora blinked, clearly caught off guard by the directness of my question. "City hall?" she repeated, her fingers tightening slightly around the mug.
"Yes." I stepped further into the room, closing the distance between us. "You've been there. You've seen things. I can tell. So, I want to know… what's in there that's so important? What's so valuable that the mayor's daughter—or anyone, for that matter—would be desperate to keep hidden?"
She let out a slow breath, her shoulders drooping like she'd been carrying this weight for too long. Then, after a pause, she spoke.
"It has… everything," she said quietly. "All the secrets you've been looking for, Harper. Everything about my father's deals, his connections, the people he bought and the people he ruined. Names, dates, transactions… everything."
Her words hit me like a punch in the gut. For a moment, I just stared at her, trying to process it. "And you're sure?" I asked.
*Your father's murderer could be named in it*. Chris said in my mind.
*Yes Chris*.
She nodded once, eyes dropping to the floor. "I'm sure. I've never seen it for myself, but I know it's there."
"Then how do you know?" I pressed.
Elora hesitated, biting her lip, then said, "Because my father told me."
That made me freeze. "Told you?"
She set the mug down with a small clink, crossing her arms as if bracing herself. "He… gave me a key," she admitted. "It's to a locked box he kept in one of the hidden compartments inside city hall. He told me that if I was ever in trouble because of him—because of his decisions or enemies—I should find that box. He said everything I'd need to clear my name would be inside."
A cold shiver slid down my spine. "So, he practically confessed to you that he'd done… terrible things."
Elora's expression twisted with something between shame and bitterness. "He didn't have to confess. I already knew. I just didn't have proof—until he told me about that box."
I crossed my arms, leaning against the counter beside her. "If you know about it, then it's impossible that the masked lady doesn't know too. She grew up right there. She's been in that office, in those rooms."
Elora let out a tired laugh—one with no humor in it. "You're right. If there's one thing she's good at, it's finding what doesn't belong to her. She probably already knows exactly where that box is."
My mind began turning, fast. "Then we don't have much time. Once the mayor's funeral is over, we'll go looking for it. Together."
Elora's head snapped up. "After the funeral?"
"Yes," I said firmly. "It's the only time when the place will be less guarded. People will be busy with the ceremony, and the city hall won't be crawling with staff."
She was quiet for a moment before finally nodding. "Alright. We'll go."
I gave her a brief, determined nod, but I couldn't shake the heaviness in my chest. That box could hold the answers to everything—or it could be another dead end. Still, I had to try.
When I stepped out of the kitchen, I found Elias waiting in the hallway. His posture was relaxed, but the concern in his eyes was obvious.
"You've been talking for a while," he said. "Is everything alright?"
"More or less," I replied. Then, without wasting time, I added, "Elias, I need to tell you something important. Luna and I… we have to leave the house."
He frowned immediately. "Leave? Why?"
"Because the masked lady is still out there," I said, my voice low but steady. "If she finds out I'm back here, she'll come after me. And she won't stop at me—she'll go after my family. I'm not going to risk that."
Elias's brows furrowed deeper, but he didn't argue right away. I pressed on before he could.
"We'll stay at Aliya's house. It's safer. She doesn't know about that place, and even if she suspects, she won't dare to make a move there."
He was silent for a long moment, his jaw tightening like he was weighing every word. Finally, he said, "Alright. If that's what you think is best."
"It is," I said firmly.
Elias leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice. "But Harper… you should also know—it's likely she'll try something at the funeral. Especially with Elora there."
I didn't even flinch. "I already know. And I have a plan for that."
His eyes searched mine for a moment, probably looking for reassurance that I wasn't about to do something reckless. But I didn't give him more than that. I wasn't ready to share the details—not yet.
Instead, I glanced toward the kitchen where Elora was still standing, lost in thought.
The funeral was only days away, but it felt like the clock was already ticking down to something much bigger than just saying goodbye to a dead mayor.
And whatever my plan was going to cost me, I knew one thing for sure.
I couldn't afford to fail.