The Edge of the Abyss

A Cold Reality

Emma's breath caught in her throat.

"Moretti killed Victoria."

Alexander's words echoed in her mind.

She had spent weeks fearing what Victoria might do.

Hating her.

Dreading her next move.

And now—

She was gone.

Emma swallowed, her voice barely a whisper.

"Are you sure?"

Alexander's gaze didn't waver.

"Yes."

Emma shivered.

Not from fear.

But from the realization that she had just stepped deeper into a world she didn't understand.

A world where people like Victoria didn't get second chances.

—

The Weight of the Truth

Emma's hands trembled.

Alexander noticed.

He reached for her, his touch firm, grounding.

"Emma, listen to me."

She met his gaze.

He looked serious.

More than that—

He looked worried.

"You need to forget about Victoria."

Emma's stomach twisted.

"Forget?" she whispered.

Alexander's jaw clenched.

"Yes. Let it go."

Emma stared at him.

Let it go?

Like it was nothing?

Like Victoria hadn't been a person?

Like she hadn't threatened Emma's life?

Like she hadn't made her feel powerless?

Like she hadn't deserved justice?

She took a step back.

"Did you—"

She hesitated.

Then forced herself to ask—

"Did you have anything to do with it?"

Alexander's expression didn't change.

But his silence?

That was answer enough.

—

A Dangerous Distance

Emma felt like she couldn't breathe.

She turned away, needing space.

But Alexander's hand caught her wrist.

"Emma."

She shook her head.

"I can't—"

"Don't run from me."

His voice was low.

Almost desperate.

She looked up at him.

And for the first time—

She didn't recognize the man standing in front of her.

"Did you kill her?" she whispered.

Alexander exhaled.

"No."

Relief rushed through her—

Until he added—

"But I let it happen."

Emma's heart stopped.

—

A War Between Them

She pulled her wrist free.

"You let her die?"

Alexander's expression was unreadable.

"Yes."

Emma staggered back.

"You—"

"She was a threat."

Emma shook her head.

"She was a person."

Alexander's jaw tightened.

"And she was going to hurt you."

Emma's breath came faster.

"You don't get to decide who lives and dies, Alexander!"

Alexander's eyes darkened.

"In my world, I do."

Emma froze.

Because for the first time—

She realized just how different their worlds were.

—

An Unspoken Goodbye

She needed space.

Time to think.

So she did the only thing she could.

She turned and walked away.

Alexander didn't stop her.

But she heard his voice, low and haunted.

"Don't go too far, Emma."

And she knew—

He wasn't just talking about tonight.

He was talking about them.

—

A New Threat in the Shadows

Emma spent the next few days at a hotel, avoiding him.

She needed to clear her head.

But she couldn't ignore the feeling that something was wrong.

That she was being watched.

Then, one night—

A note was slipped under her door.

No name.

No signature.

Just four words.

"You're not safe anymore."

Emma's blood ran cold.

And she knew—

Victoria might be gone.

But the real danger was just beginning.