No Other Option

Meliza's POV

The rain murmured outside, a steady hum like the restless buzzing of bees. I pressed my forehead against the cool glass of my window, watching droplets race each other down the pane. The night was dark, the air thick with moisture, and the rhythmic rain tapping against the roof filled the silence.

It was almost ten o'clock. I had to go.

I exhaled slowly, relieved I still had my raincoat, though I silently prayed the downpour would stop. Climbing down from my balcony in wet conditions would be dangerous—the ground would be slick, and one wrong step could leave me injured.

I almost laughed at the thought of Fred believing I was afraid of heights. He never would have guessed his stepdaughter would use the open space behind her room as an escape route.

Still, I needed leverage. The balcony was too high to jump from directly, but I could make it down safely with the proper technique.