Chapter 204

The night stretched longer than it should have.

No one said it out loud, but none of them truly relaxed.

They stayed in the space—talking less, listening more.

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Every small sound mattered now.

Every shift in the air.

Every pause between words.

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Alex didn’t sit this time.

They stood near the center, arms folded, eyes moving constantly—between the others, the walls, the entrance.

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Marcus leaned against the wall, pretending to be calm.

Daniel sat ...