As I drove back home, thoughts of my daughter's safety kept going through my mind, and I began to feel worried.
The moment i hit the car park, I quickly opened the door and stepped into the living room.
I held the letter tight, feeling anxious. "You can't silence me like you did with Alexander." It felt like I was losing my mind.
Who was Vincent Julian?
Gabriel walked in and picked up on my mood right away. "Emily, what's going on?"
I handed him the letter without saying a word. I could see him tighten his face as he read it. "Vincent Julian... Alexander's brother?"
I wasn't sure. But if he's anything like Alexander, we might be in trouble.
Just then, Bella burst into the room, a big smile on her face. Mom! I saw you on TV today! You were awesome! She wrapped her arms around me.
I forced a smile, and ran my fingers through her soft curls. "Thank you, sweetheart."
But deep inside, I was afraid. Afraid that something could happen to my daughter, Gabriel or me.
Millions of people had seen me on television today. And now, the enemy is out to get me.
The next morning, Gabriel and I sat in the living room, waiting for the police. The letter had changed everything.
When the officers arrived, I wasted no time. "Vincent Julian sent me a threat. And I need to know who he is."
The lead officer, Detective Harris, exchanged glances with his partner before responding. "Vincent Julian is a dangerous
man. He's a notorious drug dealer, has been on our watchlist for years. But he disappeared without a trace."
I became terrified. "So he's real?"
"He's real. And he's Alexander's older brother. He went underground before Alexander's death. If he's resurfacing now, it's not good news."
I felt a shiver. "He's after me, isn't he?"
Gabriel stepped forward. "What can we do?"
"We're placing your house under surveillance immediately," Detective Harris said firmly. "Officers will monitor your home day and night. Do not engage with anyone suspicious. Do not go anywhere alone."
I nodded, but I felt unease. Was I putting my daughter in danger?
Time went by, and everything looked fine.. Well, sort of. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was watching me.
There were black cars parked down the street that never left. A man at the grocery store staring a second too long.
Gabriel was always near, but I could tell he was feeling uneasy too.
Then, one evening, I noticed something that made my blood run cold.
As I parked outside Beyond Silence, I saw a man across the street… taking photos.
My hands shocked as I grabbed my phone
"Gabriel, someone is watching me."
I didn't wait for a reply. I ran into my office and locked the door behind me, my heart hammering. I pressed my back against the door, trying to catch my breath.
I peeked through the blinds.
The man was still there, standing across the street, holding up his phone. Taking pictures.
Of me. Of Beyond Silence.
I was afraid if he had a gun, my pulse started racing.
He stood there for a few more seconds, then turned and walked away, disappearing down the street like he had all the time in the world.
I felt frozen.
Who was he? Was he working for Vincent Julian?
I forced myself to take a deep breath and dialed Gabriel again.
He picked up immediately. "Emily, what's wrong?"
"There was a man outside," I said, my voice shaking. "He was taking pictures. Of me. Of the office."
Silence. Then, "Stay where you are. I'm on my way."
I nodded even though he couldn't see me, then sank into my chair, rubbing my hands over my face.
This was real.
I was being watched.
I wasn't just imagining things.
Minutes passed, but it felt like hours before Gabriel's car screeched to a stop outside. He rushed in, his eyes sharp, scanning the room like he expected someone to jump out.
"Where did you see him?" he asked.
I pointed to the window. "Across the street. He was taking pictures."
Gabriel walked over and peered outside, angrily. "He's gone now. But that doesn't mean he won't be back."
I tried to be calm. "What do we do?"
"We report it to Harris," Gabriel said. "And until we know who these people are, you're not going anywhere alone."
I opened my mouth to argue, but the look on his face stopped me. He wasn't asking. He was telling me.
I sighed. "Okay."
Gabriel pulled out his phone and called Detective Harris.
After a few minutes, he hung up. "Harris is sending someone to check the security cameras in the area. He said to be careful."
I let out a shaky breath. "Right."
Gabriel looked me for a second, then softened. "Come here."
He pulled me into a hug, his warmth wrapping around me. I didn't realize how badly I needed it until my body sagged against his.
"You're safe," he murmured.
But was I?
I wasn't so sure anymore.
The next morning, I tried to go about my day like nothing had happened.
I dropped Bella off at school, pretending everything was normal. But I kept looking over my shoulder, scanning the street, watching for black cars or strangers with cameras.
Nothing.
At work, I forced myself to focus, but my mind kept drifting back to that man.
Who was he?
Why was he taking pictures?
Was he following me home, too?
The thought made my stomach turn.
By the time I finished work, I was exhausted. Not physically but mentally.
Gabriel was waiting outside when I stepped out.
"You didn't have to pick me up," I told him as I got into the car.
"You're not going home alone," he said simply.
I sighed. "You really think they'll come after me so soon?"
"Better safe than sorry."
I didn't argue.
As we drove, I glanced out the window.
That's when I saw it.
A black SUV.
Not too close. Not too far.
Following us.
My heart pounded.
"Gabriel," I said quietly.
He didn't look at me, but I could tell he already knew. His hands tightened on the wheel.
"Yeah. I see it."
I took a deep breath
"Should we?"
Before I could finish, Gabriel sped up.
So did the SUV.
My chest was pounding. "They're following us."
Gabriel didn't answer. He just turned sharply, cutting into a smaller road. The SUV followed.
My pulse was racing now.
"Gabriel"
"Hold on."
He turned again, taking a route I didn't recognize. I gripped my seat, almost falling off but thanks to my seat belt.
Finally, after a few more sharp turns, the SUV disappeared.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
Gabriel exhaled too. "They're testing us."
"What does that mean?"
"It means they want us to know we're being watched," he said darkly. "They're not hiding anymore."
I shivered.
That night, I barely slept.
Every time I closed my eyes, I imagined that man outside my office. The SUV tailing us. Vincent Julian watching from the shadows.
At some point, I must have drifted off because a loud bang woke me up.
I sat up, my heart racing.
Then I heard it again.
A knock.
Not at the door.
At the window.
I froze.
Gabriel was already up, moving fast. He grabbed his baseball bat, and stormed to the window.
I held my breath.
He pulled the curtain back fast,
Nothing.
No one.
Just darkness.
My hands were shaky as I slid out of bed. "Was it the wind?"
Gabriel didn't answer.
He opened the window.
Then I saw it.
A piece of paper taped to the glass.
Gabriel ripped it off and flipped it over.
One sentence.
"You can't run forever."
I became afraid for my life.
Gabriel was angry. "They were here."
Right outside.
Right near Bella.
A shiver ran down my body.
I turned to Gabriel, holding the paper, my heart pounding, my voice barely above a whisper. "We have to end this. Now. We have to move out of this house."
His eyes met mine, dark and serious.
"We will," he said.
But at what cost?