The morning after, Ethan made a call to his head of security. Sara stood inside the kitchen, nervously sipping coffee as she heard him bark orders into the phone. The penthouse had turned into a fortress overnight, but the weight of the ominous notes was still heavy in the air."They'll trace whoever threw the brick," Ethan assured her as he hung up. "I'll get answers soon."Sara nodded but was lost in thought. Whoever was behind the threats knew her- knew their connection and her son. Could it be someone from her past? A part of her wanted to trust Ethan, but she had been alone for so long that leaning on anyone felt dangerous."What if it's someone I know?" she whispered.Ethan stepped closer, his hand brushing hers as he reached for his cup of coffee. The brief touch sent a jolt through her. "Do you have any enemies?" he asked softly.She gave him a bitter smile. "I don't exactly have a glamorous life, Ethan. I'm a single mom working two jobs. My enemies are overdue bills and nosy neighbors."Ethan's lips curved into the faintest smile, but it quickly disappeared. "We'll figure this out. I promise."Now just as Sara was about to respond, Noah came into the room rubbing his eyes. "Mommy, why is there a man outside my window?"Sara froze. "What?"Ethan was already moving, scooping Noah up and carrying him to the guest bedroom. He carefully opened the curtains, scanning the view of the street below. His sharp gaze caught a figure dressed in black standing across the street, leaning casually against a lamppost.The man looked up and met Ethan's stare before turning and disappearing into the crowd.Ethan cursed lightly, turning his head over to Sara, and beckoned her with a quick gesture. "We need to leave. Now."---An hour and Ethan had placed them in a secure, secluded property just outside the city-the modern glass-and-wood home standing surrounded by thick trees, which felt both open and impenetrable.Sara walked from end to end in the living room while Ethan did yet another round of calls. "You can't just drag us all over the place like that. This isn't normal." She started off. "Noah doesn't understand what's happening. I don't even know what's going on!"Ethan got rid of his phone and moved closer. His voice was firm but calm. "I'm doing this for your own good. Until we find out who's behind this, then both of you are in danger."She shook her head, the frustration coming out. "Why? Why would anyone care about me or Noah? You think it's because of you, don't you? That someone is targeting me because of your money, your power?"Darkening of Ethan's mood soon came after that. "It's not that simple. Whoever this is...he or she is digging for deep rooted pasts from both of us."Put a foot forward, and Sara did. "What are you talking about, Ethan?"Ethan thought about it and rubbed his hair. "I think it's bigger than just us. There are things about my family-secrets that my father kept when he was alive-things people would kill to uncover."Sara's stomach squirmed. "So now we are the casualties of it?"Ethan softened his gaze as he stepped closer. "No one will get hurt, Sara. Or Noah. You have my word."The truth is, the defenses she had built around herself crumbled slightly due to the sincerity she heard in his voice. For the first time, she allowed herself to be convinced by the safety of his presence and let him wrap his arms around her."I'm scared," she admitted, shakingly.Ethan tightened his hold on her even more. "I know. But we'll get through this. Together."Their moment was terminated by Ethan's buzzing phone on the table. He reluctantly pulled away to answer."What is it?" he barked into the phone.Sara watched as his face grew grim."They've traced the breach," Ethan said after hanging up. "The files were accessed from a location tied to... someone from your past."Sara's heart stopped. "Who?"Ethan's voice brimmed with hesitance, barely above a whisper. "Someone named Marcus Hale."The name slapped Sara. She staggered back, her face suddenly becoming pale. "Marcus? That's... impossible. He's dead."Ethan's gaze bored into her. "Then someone's using his name. And they know more about you than you've told me."Sara found it hard to breathe. Short bursts, fast and panicked, filled her lungs. Memories she had buried long ago started to return to her. Marcus Hale, the man who had once ruled her life, was supposed to be gone.But now, it seemed his shadow had come back to haunt her.To Be Continued...