When Evelyn arrived home the next day, the sight of the slightly ajar front door immediately set her on edge. She pushed the door open cautiously, stepping inside with her heart racing. The house was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of daily life replaced by an unsettling stillness.
"Dad?" she called out tentatively, her voice echoing in the empty hallway.
From the study at the end of the hall, Viktor's voice responded, firm and commanding. "Evelyn, come here."
She quickened her pace, her anxiety growing with each step. As she reached the study, she noticed a letter on the desk, its presence adding to the sense of foreboding. Viktor stood beside the desk, his expression stern and unreadable.
"What's going on?" Evelyn asked, her gaze shifting from the letter to her father.
Viktor motioned to the chair. "Sit down. I need to explain something."
