Mrs. Gregory wiped her tears with shaky hands. “Mr. Williams… what do we do now?” Her voice trembled like a fragile leaf.

Andrei didn’t answer immediately. He was staring at the empty phone screen in his hand. Last message he sent to Elena… yesterday evening.

“Let me know when you get home.”

The message sat there, unread, like a quiet wound.

He leaned forward, jaw tightening. “We are not stopping here.” With a controlled breath, he stood and helped Mrs. Gregory rise to her ...