Chapter 393

Evelyn stepped out of the police station, her shoulders slumped in defeat.

Harrison followed silently, offering her a chilled bottle of water. "Here, drink this. You should rest."

She shook her head, golden strands catching the afternoon light. "I need to be alone right now, Harrison."

As she walked away down the tree-lined path, Harrison remained rooted to the spot, his piercing gaze tracking her retreating form.

Callum approached with quick strides. "Aren't you going after her? This neighborhood isn't exactly safe."

"Give her space. We'll follow at a distance."

With that, Harrison began moving, keeping Evelyn in sight while maintaining careful distance. Callum sighed dramatically before falling into step beside him.

"Seriously, Harrison? Years of pining and you're still playing the long game?"

Callum gestured toward Evelyn's disappearing figure. "If you keep hesitating, someone else will sweep her off her feet—"

A single icy glare from Harrison silenced him mid-sentence.

Callum raised his hands in surrender before continuing more thoughtfully. "Just saying, man. Some truths shouldn't stay hidden forever. She deserves to know."

He'd seen the way Evelyn looked at Harrison when she thought no one was watching. This dance of avoidance between them needed to end.

"What's a few more years in the grand scheme?" Harrison's voice softened as he watched Evelyn turn a corner. "As long as she's the one waiting at the finish line."

Callum rolled his eyes. Only Evelyn could melt Harrison's usual cold demeanor into something resembling human warmth. Love truly did strange things to people.

"Did you bring the laptop?"

"In the car," Callum confirmed.

"Get it."

With a signal from Callum, their driver pulled up alongside them. Both men slid into the leather seats.

"Keep watch over her."

Callum nodded. "She won't leave my sight."

Harrison gave a satisfied hum, flipping open the laptop. His fingers flew across the keyboard with practiced precision.

...

Evelyn wandered aimlessly down the sidewalk. Autumn leaves swirled around her in golden eddies, catching in her hair like nature's confetti.

The season had turned while she wasn't looking.

Pedestrians rushed past in their own worlds, oblivious to the woman moving like a ghost through their midst.

Suddenly, a figure barreled toward her. Evelyn's heel caught on uneven pavement, sending her stumbling backward.

Strong arms caught her from behind, spinning her effortlessly into a stranger's embrace. When she looked up, her breath caught.

The man wore a black mask and cap, revealing only intense dark eyes that seemed to peer into her soul.

His voice was low, hypnotic. "Stop digging. Go home."

Evelyn's brow furrowed in confusion. "What—?"

Before she could finish, he released her and melted into the crowd.

"Wait!" Evelyn sprinted after him. "Who are you? What did you mean by that?"

But the mysterious stranger moved with unnatural speed, disappearing at the intersection before she could reach him. When the light changed, he was gone without a trace.