As Ethan steadied his hands on the wheel and maneuvered through the twisting route, the automobile hummed softly. Lily sat quietly next to him, staring at the passing landscape. There was a noticeable tension between them, but it wasn't based on mistrust or rage. It was the weight of all that was not said, the unspoken realities and unresolved feelings that boiled beneath the surface.
"Where are we heading?" At last, Lily inquired in a calm yet gentle tone.
Ethan's jaw was clenched as he looked at her. "Somewhere secure. I know someone who can assist us safeguard the ledger and ensure that it ends up in the proper hands.
Lily felt a knot in her stomach. The stakes had never been higher, but she still wanted to trust him. And what comes next? Should we simply leave?
Ethan took a while to respond. She thought for a second that he might not answer at all as his hands clenched over the steering wheel. Then he spoke in a measured, low voice.
