Deserved Retribution

"Stop!"

 

Alex's voice echoed through the room as he burst in, his heart nearly stopping at the sight before him.

 

Iris instinctively turned toward the voice, momentarily distracted. The man looked familiar; she had seen him somewhere before...

 

Seeing Ava on the floor, disheveled and terrified, Alex felt his heart leap into his throat, overwhelmed by fear. If he had been even a moment later, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

 

"The police are on their way. If you stop now, I won't hold your past actions against you," Alex said, his voice tense as he looked at Iris.

 

Iris raised an eyebrow, seemingly indifferent to Alex's words. She toyed with the knife in her hand, curiosity in her eyes. "How did you know Ava was here?"