JUST A STRANGER

As I glanced at my cell phone again, I saw the last message from that man.

Unknown Number

Text me once you get home. Please. Be safe.

I bit my lower lip and realized I was typing a reply while my hands shook.

To Unknown Number

Thank you very much, Apollo.

After sending it, I left that house completely. I hailed another taxi and headed to Elena's condo. My heavy heart added to the weight of my luggage.

The rain was falling heavily again, darkening the sky. I no longer knew what to prioritize, whether it was Ares or my family. I felt utterly alone at that moment, especially when I recalled the way Ares looked at me earlier.

It was a gaze filled with anger that I couldn't comprehend the source or reason for. This was the first time I felt like he didn't want to look at me, but he had to. The look in his eyes was laced with hatred.

Later, my cell phone rang with a new text, and I glanced at it.