Echoes of the unsaid

ickering candlelight creating lengthy shadows on the walls and reflecting the agony writhing inside her chest, she sat on the edge of her bed. E

otten. It was here, rapping on her door, threatening to devour what she believed to be true. A quiet knock drew her from her thoughts. A

or an invitation. He was not stopped by her. Somehow, his p

said in a harsh voice. "There are details on my pa

ked into

of your way? With a spark of sh

d on his arm and reached out. "You d

e detective: worn out, scarred, yet fiercely loyal. Ethan muttered, "I don't

truth; a world where betrayal was a constant threat and trust was a premium. But there were little moments of compassion throughout the pandemonium. Talking late

vening in Ethan's small apartment. "Who is she?" Maya asked, voice barely above a whisper. Ethan's expression hardened. "That's Rachel Kane, the sister of Vi

age from an unknown number buzzed on her phone. "You underestimate how close you are. However, some facts ought to rema

r in complete darkness. A cold, intimate whisper reverberated acros

she went to E

ike a ticking clock, indicating the approaching truth that Maya wasn't sure she was prepared to confront. It was a weighty, but not uncomfortable,

e couch's edge. Her father's anonymous video was now ingra

e muttered. "I'm not angry or

d, Ethan sat opposite her. Because he was aware of the danger

years living with questions. I'd take any chance i

rless, unyielding woman she had grown into. Beneath that, he saw the devastated girl who h

yourself in this." "Retaliation. Shame. Obsessio

on't all

e root of loss had pulled their suffering together like vines. Ethan carefully got up an

his own darkness is not what you deserve." She

midst all the lies, there remained a longing to experience something genuine. After embracing her, Ethan brought her to the bedroom. Time slowed for a moment, and the outer world vanished. Slo

audible as she inqui

"Not when y

than explosive or wild. With excruciating tenderness, they moved in unison, their fingers entwined securely, holding and

calm beneath her ear as she lay snuggled up against his chest.

bed. He had no intention of falling for her. In a world full of darkness, she was meant to be just

a collection of shattered bits that needed to be put back together for duty. Ethan combed his hair with his hand. He has previously lost in

indow when Maya woke up,

" he said, forcing a tiny smile. Her fingers touched his shoulder. "You don't need to bear t

another slowly in the dim light of his chamber, not hurriedly, but rather as if they were meeting some

. Then Ethan said, "I'm with you," as their bodies entwined under warm sheets. reg

ey went

was unable to. Maya woke up be

, she crept out of bed in silence an

ious evening was on the table. She picked it up again, her fingers shaking. In her fa

ns. Was someone blackmailing her father? Was he involved? Was all she t

right?" She took a while to respond. Tears

" Ethan put his forehead to hers. The t

usted in the rain

blurry display inside a dark van. He said into a phone, "She's getting too close." "Tomorr

ang. A fres

ly: "Come by yourself if you w

deo stream w

s. And someone she believed t