Chapter 100

• The Castellano household basked in a rare moment of calm. The past weeks had been a whirlwind of chaos, fear, and uncertainty, but for now, the storm seemed to have abated. The security measures Rafael had implemented gave the family a sense of safety, however tenuous. The children had begun to settle back into their routines, laughter occasionally echoing through the halls again.
• Rafael stood on the back patio, staring out at the sprawling yard bathed in the soft glow of twilight. The scent of fresh grass lingered in the cool evening air. A glass of whiskey sat untouched on the wooden railing beside him, his thoughts too heavy for the comfort it might offer.
• He heard the soft creak of the sliding door and turned to see Maya stepping out, a shawl draped over her shoulders. She held two steaming mugs of tea, the sight of her presence immediately soothing the tightness in his chest.