Chapter 115

• The morning air was crisp as Maya stood on the front porch, her arms crossed as she watched Ivy and Ethan chase each other across the lawn. It was one of those rare moments of peace, where laughter filled the air and the weight of the past seemed to lift. But Maya knew better than to assume it would last. The events of the last few months had taught her that peace was fragile, and danger always seemed to lurk just out of sight.
• Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car pulling up. Rafael stepped out, his face tense but calm, a familiar expression that meant something important had happened.
• “Rafael?” Maya called as he approached the house.