Chapter 3: The First Warning
Sophia had always been cautious. Growing up in a poor neighborhood taught her to be aware of her surroundings, to recognize when something felt off.
And lately, something felt very off.
It started small a strange feeling of being watched on her way home from work, footsteps echoing behind her at night only to disappear when she turned around. Then came the unsettling moments at the café. The same black SUV parked outside for hours. The same suited men who never ordered anything but always seemed to be nearby.
She told herself she was imagining things. Paranoia. Stress from school and work.
But the moment she stepped outside the café that night, she realized she wasn't imagining anything.
The street was mostly empty, the usual city noise in the background. Liam walked beside her, hands stuffed into his jacket pockets as he talked about his latest photography project. She tried to focus, but her skin prickled with unease.
Someone was watching her.
She glanced over her shoulder, her stomach tightening. A black car was parked across the street, headlights off, windows tinted. It wasn't moving, but she knew whoever was inside was looking right at her.
Her steps faltered.
"Soph?" Liam stopped, noticing the way she stared at the car. "What's wrong?"
She swallowed hard. "Nothing. I just… I thought someone was following me last night."
Liam frowned. "What? Why didn't you tell me?"
Because it sounded crazy. Because she didn't want to admit how scared she was.
"I don't know. Maybe I'm overthinking," she muttered, forcing a small laugh.
Liam didn't look convinced. "Soph, if you feel like something's wrong, it probably is. You need to be careful."
"I am," she assured him.
But deep down, she wasn't so sure.
She should have been more careful.
Because Adrian was already closing in.