"Nia,"Daniel Carter her uncle's voice carried both concern and authority as she stepped out the gate. "Why are you still living in that apartment? You know we want you with us."
She hesitated, fingers tightening on the strap of her bag. "I can't."
"Can't—or won't?" His tone softened. "You don't have to carry everything alone."
Her lips trembled before she forced the words out. "Because your son doesn't like me there. You know it."
"That's no reason," he said quickly, almost pleading. "He'll come around. You're family. Your father would want you with us. Why can't you see that?"
Her chest ached at the word family. It used to mean safety. Now it only felt like a trap."the memory of that day, the shouting, the punishment that should never have been his."
She looked away before her uncle could see the storm in her eyes. He'd never forgiven her. Maybe he never would.
Daniel's gaze softened, oblivious to the storm inside her. "How was your first day?"
Nia forced a smile. "Nice." The lie tasted bitter. Nothing about today had been nice.
"I'm glad to hear that," Daniel said, though his eyes lingered on her face, searching for cracks. Then, almost casually, he added, "Did you see your cousin, Sam?"
Her breath caught. "Sam? You… you gave me admission here… and Sam studies here too?"
Shock clawed at her chest. Of all the places, of all the people—why here?
Sam. The one person she had hoped to never cross paths with again.
Her mind snapped back to the lecture hall. Adrian's sharp stare. The smirk that never reached his eyes. He saw my name—Carter. He thinks I'm tied to Sam. Already a betrayal.
A chill slid down her spine. Her stomach knotted. Adrian's eyes always carried the echo of whatever had broken between him and Sam. And now, somehow, she was caught in it. Is that why he looks at me like that? As if I'm nothing but my cousin's shadow?
She said, "Not really, Uncle Daniel. We didn't cross paths."
Daniel nodded, a small frown tugging at his brows. "I see… well, just be careful, Nia. I know Sam can be a bit… difficult at times."
Nia swallowed, forcing another polite smile. Difficult? That was putting it lightly. Her mind snapped back to the lecture hall—Adrian's sharp stare, the smirk that didn't reach his eyes.
The apartment door closed behind her with a soft click, and the quiet hum of the city seeped through the windows. Nia set her bag down, trying to convince herself she was safe.
A sudden thud against the window jolted her. She spun toward the sound. A glass bottle had smashed onto the pavement below, shards glinting in the dim light, the sharp scent of broken glass stinging her nose. Her breath hitched.
Her eyes darted to the alley across the street. Three figures stood in the shadows, motionless, watching.
Who are they? Why are they here? Is this connected to Sam… or Adrian?
Recognition hit her like a punch to the gut. Her mind snapped back to that night in the alley, the one she had tried to bury—the shadows, the whispers, the way those same men had lurked just out of reach.
Her pulse spiked. Could it really be them? Her fingers trembled as she pressed herself against the wall, heart hammering, mind racing.
The streetlight flickered, casting long, uncertain shadows across the concrete. The three men remained still, deliberate, their presence heavy and threatening. One of them raised a hand, glinting briefly against the dim light, as if signaling the others.
Nia's grip tightened on the strap of her bag. This isn't just college drama anymore. This is something bigger. Something dangerous.
Her chest ached, stomach twisting. The apartment should have felt like safety. Instead, it had become the stage for the chaos she couldn't escape.
Somewhere out there, in the shadows, someone was waiting for the perfect moment to strike. She swallowed hard, barely daring to breathe, and wondered if she could survive the night.