Chapter 136: A Breach in the Calm

The night was thick with unease, and even the warmth of Ethan's hand couldn't completely chase away the cold feeling that had settled in Luca's chest. They had been left shaken by Darren's appearance, and though the house was silent now, a sense of violation lingered. Luca kept glancing at the window, half-expecting to see those dark eyes peering back in at him.

They sat on the living room couch, the only sound in the room was the rhythmic ticking of the clock. Ethan's arm wrapped protectively around Luca's shoulders, pulling him closer. "He won't come back tonight," Ethan murmured, trying to sound reassuring, though the tension in his voice betrayed him. "Not after the scene he caused."

"But what about tomorrow, or the day after?" Luca's voice wavered, the fear cracking through the calm he was trying to maintain. "He's not just going to give up. He never does."

Ethan's jaw tightened as he considered this. "Then we'll make him give up," he said quietly, his fingers curling into Luca's hair, stroking gently. "I won't let him hurt you again, Luca. I promise."

The house seemed to close in around them, the shadows lengthening in the corners. Despite Ethan's presence, Luca couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. His eyes kept darting to the window, half-expecting to see Darren's silhouette outside.

Luca shook his head, trying to rid himself of the thoughts. "We can't stay here, Ethan," he whispered, looking up at him with a mixture of dread and determination. "We need to get away from here, even if it's just for a while. I don't feel safe."

Ethan's gaze softened, and he nodded slowly. "Alright," he agreed, his voice gentle. "We'll leave first thing in the morning. Somewhere Darren won't be able to find us."

As the decision settled between them, a sense of urgency filled the air. The idea of escaping, even temporarily, breathed some life back into Luca's weary spirit. The thought of being far away from this place, from Darren's reach, was a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.

Morning couldn't come fast enough, and the house was silent except for the quiet rustle of bags being packed. They moved with careful urgency, each minute feeling like an hour as they prepared to leave without drawing any attention.

Luca was in the bedroom, folding the last of his clothes, when Ethan's voice called out from the living room. "Luca, come here." There was something in his tone—an edge that made Luca's heart skip a beat.

He hurried out of the room, his steps quickening as he approached Ethan, who was standing by the front door, holding a piece of paper that had been slipped under the threshold. "What is it?" Luca asked, his voice hushed.

Ethan's eyes were dark as he handed the paper to Luca. "A note from Darren," he said, his tone grim. "He knows we're trying to leave."

Luca unfolded the note with trembling fingers. The message was brief but chilling: "You can run, but you'll never escape."

The threat in those words was enough to send a shiver down Luca's spine. He felt Ethan's hand slip into his, squeezing tightly. "We still need to go," Ethan insisted, his voice firm despite the anxiety tightening his jaw. "We're not letting him scare us into staying."

End of Chapter 136

To Be Continued...