Part 128
The hum outside grew louder — radios, footsteps, voices calling orders. Then, for a brief second, silence.
Adrian held his breath.
He could hear Alex moving fast in the kitchen — drawers opening, the sharp sound of glass breaking under her feet. Then her voice, low but trembling:
"Adrian, stay away from the windows."
He didn't move.
She came into the room, her eyes wide, darting to the door and back to him. "They're coming," she said, her tone unsteady. "But don't worry, I'll keep you safe. I'll take care of everything, I promise."
Her voice shook.
Her hands, too.
He could see it now — the panic spreading through her like cracks in glass.
She wasn't in control anymore.
Then, from outside — a voice, loud, commanding:
"Police! Open the door!"
Aura flinched. The color drained from her face.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
The second shout was sharper.
A heavy pounding followed — fists against the wood, echoing through the small house.
Aura turned to Adrian, her eyes burning with a mix of desperation and grief.
"They don't understand!" she cried, backing away from the door. "They'll ruin you! I— I can't let them—"
The door burst open.
The sound was deafening — boots, voices, the sharp command of order cutting through her words. Flashlights swept the dim hallway. Adrian shielded his eyes as figures flooded in.
"Mr. Adrian! Are you alright?"
His name. His real name.
It hit him like sunlight breaking through fog.
He didn't even remember standing, but suddenly he was on his feet, blinking through tears, his heart pounding so hard it hurt.
"I'm here!" he managed to shout, his voice cracking. "I'm here!"
Arms pulled him away — firm but careful. The world blurred into motion: noise, shouts, the clatter of movement. He looked back once —
Alex stood frozen in the middle of the room, her hair falling across her face, her hands trembling as an officer reached for her.
She didn't fight.
She didn't scream.
She only whispered, brokenly —
"I was only trying to protect him."
And Adrian, even through the chaos, couldn't tell if she was lying.