Chapter 57

• The days that followed were a blur of frantic activity. Rowan, ever vigilant, transformed their home into a fortress, reinforcing security measures, installing new alarm systems, and meticulously checking every nook and cranny. The quiet comfort of their Boston townhouse was replaced by a palpable tension, the air thick with the unspoken threat. Cleo, despite Rowan’s constant reassurance, felt a gnawing unease, a deep-seated fear that refused to be quelled. Sleep became a luxury, replaced by restless nights filled with vivid nightmares and sudden awakenings.
• Their routines, once a source of peaceful contentment, were now fraught with apprehension. Even the simplest tasks – a trip to the grocery store, a walk in the park – were fraught with a heightened awareness, a constant scanning of the surroundings, a subconscious search for potential threats. Rowan's presence, once a source of comfort and security, became a constant reminder of the danger that lurked just beyond their meticulously guarded walls.
• The “Prepare” note remained a haunting enigma, its cryptic message fueling their anxieties. They discussed it endlessly, trying to decipher its meaning, its source. Was it Marcus, fueled by jealousy and rage? Or was it someone else, someone from Rowan's past, a shadowy figure from his life as a bodyguard, seeking revenge or retribution? The possibilities were endless, each more chilling than the last.