Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT REN DISAPPEARED
The threat arrived on a rainy Tuesday.
Ren had just finished work at a restoration site in Cambridge.
She walked toward her car.
A black SUV slowed beside the curb.
A man stepped out.
“Miss Navarro?”
She stopped.
“Yes?”
He held up an envelope.
“Delivery.”
Ren hesitated.
Then noticed something.
The man wasn't looking at her face.
He was watching the street behind her.
Ren stepped back.
“Leave it with my office.”
The man's expression changed.
“It's important.”
“So is my safety.”
She turned toward the building.
The man moved closer.
Ren ran.
She reached the entrance and shouted for security.
The building guard emerged.
The man retreated.
The SUV accelerated away.
Ren called the police.
Then Evelyn.
Then Matteo.
He answered immediately.
“Ren?”
Her voice shook.
“Someone tried to approach me outside work.”
Matteo went silent.
“Are you safe?”
“Yes.”
“Stay with the police.”
“I am.”
Twenty minutes later, Matteo arrived.
He didn't touch her.
Didn't demand answers.
Didn't tell her what she should have done.
He simply stood beside her while she gave her statement.
When the officers left, Ren looked at him.
“I'm scared.”
Matteo nodded.
“I know.”
She swallowed.
“I hate this.”
“I know.”
She looked up.
“Do you think Vane sent them?”
“I don't know.”
His honesty steadied her.
Matteo continued.
“But we can take precautions while the authorities investigate.”
Ren nodded.
That evening, she stayed with her parents.
She refused to disappear into Matteo's mansion.
Refused to surrender her independence.
But she accepted help arranging lawful security measures.
Later that night, she received a message from an unknown number.
YOU SHOULD HAVE MARRIED DEREK.
Ren stared at the screen.
Then forwarded it to Evelyn and the police.
May you like
She was frightened.
But she was no longer willing to be silent.
