CHAPTER 31: JUSTICE

A NIGHT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

The air was still that night. The moonlight seeped through the windows of the detective office, casting long shadows across the floor.

Alexander leaned against his desk, arms crossed, his sapphire-blue eyes locked onto Rose.

She stood near the window, tense, her hands gripping her sleeves. She had been avoiding his gaze the entire day. He had noticed.

Her fear wasn't subtle.

And so, he asked.

"What's wrong?"

Rose flinched at his voice. She hesitated for a moment, then finally exhaled.

"You already know, Alexander."

He didn't respond. Just watched.

She turned to face him, finally meeting his gaze. "I saw what you did to Wincent. I saw how you aimed at me. I—" Her voice faltered. "You actually made me believe you'd shoot me."

Alexander tilted his head slightly. "And?"

Her fingers tightened around her sleeves. "It terrifies me. You terrify me."

A beat of silence.

And then—

Alexander smiled.

Not a warm smile. Not a comforting one. A smirk.

"Then good."

Rose's breath hitched. "W-What?"

Alexander pushed himself off the desk, slowly walking towards her. His presence was overwhelming.

"Justice, Rose, is not always beautiful. It is not soft. It does not coddle. It does not hesitate."

He stopped just in front of her. His sapphire-blue eyes glowed under the dim moonlight.

"It is cold. Ruthless. And absolute."

Rose swallowed hard.

Alexander's smirk faded into something unreadable.

"What you fear, Rose, is not me."

He tilted his head, voice softer now.

"You fear what I represent."

She bit her lip, heart pounding.

"And what is that?"

Alexander leaned in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper.

"The inevitable."

Silence.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he turned away.

"Go to sleep, Rose." His voice was indifferent. "You'll have to get used to it."

And with that, he left her standing there—conflicted, shaken, and more afraid than ever.