The Edge of Silence.

Chapter 24

Rain lashed against the cracked glass of the old hotel window. The dim glow of a flickering streetlight outside cast eerie shadows across the wooden floor. Subey stood in the center of the room, staring at the bloodstained carpet—memories of Caroline flashing before his eyes.

His grip tightened on the knife in his hand. His breathing was heavy, his thoughts clouded. John was still out there. And Mia… she was orchestrating something far more sinister than he had anticipated.

The past few hours had been a blur—escaping the trap John had set, nearly getting killed on the rooftop, and then, Caroline's confrontation. She had looked at him like he was the villain. Like he was the one who had betrayed her.

The weight of secrets pressed down on him. He had lied to her. Hidden the truth about John. Hidden the truth about what happened to Caroline in that hotel room all those nights ago.

A knock at the door.

Subey turned sharply, his muscles tense. The door creaked open, and a familiar silhouette emerged from the darkness.

Caroline.

Her wet hair clung to her face, her clothes soaked from the storm outside. Her eyes were filled with something unreadable—pain, anger, maybe even regret.

"You should have told me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Subey exhaled, running a hand through his damp hair. "I was trying to protect you."

Caroline stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "From what? From the truth? From knowing that the man I trusted, the man I… loved, was a monster?"

Her voice cracked on the last word, and Subey felt a sharp pang in his chest.

"You don't understand," he said, his voice low. "If I had told you… you wouldn't have believed me. He manipulated you, Caroline. Just like he manipulated all of us."

Caroline scoffed. "And you think keeping me in the dark made it better?" She stepped closer, her eyes searching his face. "You think hiding what he did to me—what he did to all of us—was the right choice?"

Subey had no answer.

Caroline shook her head. "I saw it. I saw the footage, Subey. I know what happened in that hotel room. I know what John did to me before he—" Her voice caught in her throat, and she looked away, blinking back tears.

Subey clenched his jaw. "Then you know why I had to do what I did."

Caroline met his gaze, something dark and unreadable flashing in her eyes. "I know. But that doesn't mean I forgive you."

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words.

A sudden crash outside broke the tension. Both of them turned sharply. Footsteps echoed in the hallway, fast and heavy.

Then—gunfire.

The window shattered as bullets tore through the room. Subey grabbed Caroline and pulled her down, shielding her as glass rained down around them.

"Move!" he hissed, dragging her toward the back door.

More gunshots. The air filled with the acrid smell of gunpowder.

Subey reached for his gun, but before he could react, the door burst open.

John.

Soaked from the rain, blood streaking down his face from the rooftop fight. His once-charming smile was twisted into something unrecognizable—a mask of rage and madness.

"You didn't think I'd go down that easily, did you?" John's voice was hoarse, his grip on the gun steady.

Subey's heart pounded. Caroline stiffened beside him.

"John, don't do this," she said, her voice shaking.

John's gaze flickered to her. "You're defending him now? After everything?" His expression darkened. "You think he's the hero? You have no idea what he's done."

Caroline swallowed hard. "And you do?"

John's smirk returned. "Oh, sweetheart, I know everything."

Before Subey could react, John raised the gun—aiming straight at Caroline.

Subey lunged forward.

A shot rang out.

Pain exploded in his side, white-hot and blinding. He stumbled, blood seeping through his shirt.

"SUBEY!" Caroline screamed.

John laughed. "Always playing the hero. You never learn."

Subey gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand. His vision blurred, but he didn't stop. With a last surge of strength, he grabbed John's wrist, twisting the gun away.

A struggle. A fight for control.

Another shot.

John staggered back, clutching his stomach. Blood bloomed across his shirt.

He blinked, looking down as if in disbelief.

"You…" he whispered.

Subey gasped for breath. "This ends now."

John's legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the floor.

Silence.

Caroline knelt beside Subey, pressing her hands against his wound. "Stay with me. Please."

Subey's vision swam, but he managed a weak smile. "It's over."

Caroline's grip tightened. "No, it's not. Not yet."

Somewhere in the distance, sirens wailed.

But Subey's mind was already drifting.

To Mia.

To the real fight still ahead.

And the secrets that were yet to come.

To Be Continued....