Chapter 64 The Realization

• Luca
• The moment I stepped into the apartment, a sense of dread settled over me like a heavy cloak. Something wasn’t right. The door was ajar, the latch splintered as if someone had kicked it in. My stomach churned, and I forced myself to take a deep breath before stepping inside, the sound of my boots echoing on the tiled floor.
• The place was a mess. The coffee table was flipped over, shards of glass from a broken vase scattered across the floor. Cushions from the couch were tossed haphazardly, their fabric torn in places. A lamp lay on its side, its bulb shattered, the cord dangling like a lifeless limb. My eyes scanned the room, my heart pounding louder with each passing second.