The early evening sun spilled through the large windows of Alex’s apartment, casting golden hues across the quiet room. Marion stood at the entrance, looking at Aliyah like he’d waited a lifetime to find her again. His voice was low, hesitant but firm.

“Aliyah… I need to talk to you.”

Aliyah remained seated, her expression unreadable. The room was filled with a heavy silence that seemed to grow louder by the second.

“I know what you saw that day with Courtney,” Marion began, ...