Biracial Detectives In

Ye Weiming, a smart and clear-headed young man, enters the game 'Eternal Justice' and gets 'fooled' into becoming a constable of the Divine Constable Bureau. Armed with the unique skill of finding clues through post-mortem and on-site investigation, his attributes rise quickly and he becomes one of the top martial arts master in this pugilistic game world. However, to maintain his position, more challenging missions await him...

[Justice delayed is justice denial!] Kai a regular detective was killed by his partner after he uncovered the case he had been following for years now. Dying with hate in his heart, Kai thought all was over for him, but something sudden appeared in his eyes. [Host has awakened the Nemesis] [Host has become the vessel of Nemesis] [Become the man who sets the world back in order!] In a world were massive crimes were happening in broad daylight, christmas day, and even new years. One man would rise to become a god.

The first day of school doesn't go as planned. Nikko is late and he's literally running to school. He's so nervous, and the random guy that laughed at him while rushing through a crossroad, didn't add up to his mood.... *I am not an owner of the cover photo*

I will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com so please hurry up and accept my story im not plagiarizing and i doubt anyone would wanna plagiarize this story either https://www.royalroad.com/profile/610078/fictions I was one of Korea’s best detectives—until I got stabbed while taking down a deranged murderer. I thought that was the end of my fucked up life, but instead, I woke up in a completely different world... in the body of a 16-year-old kid. Magic is everywhere, and people rely on it for everything, including solving crimes. For some reason I can’t use magic at all but people keep assuming I can and I'm the best at it. The question is—how long can a logic-driven detective survive in a world where magic is law?

Taking place in the modern ages, 2024s, the Japanese government has invested in a prestigious, elite academy, The Karasuno Academy, designed to nurture the brightest minds of the future japanese people's and country. Losherk Andrew Avalon, a 17-year-old sociopathy prodigy who held the name of "L.A.A", the world’s greatest detective. The best of the best product of a enigmatic government facility, Andrew’s intelligent seems unmatched, yet his heart remains locked behind the emotional walls built by his troubled past. His life has been a chess game of logic, deception, and psychological warfare, where lies and truths blend seamlessly, and the only rule is winning even though he know he will lose in the end. Driven by his desire to understand the human heart and reclaim the emotions stripped from him, Andrew enrolls in Karasuno Academy. Now in this new environment, Andrew rebuilds the elite task force from his past, once disbanded, and soon becomes glues in solving high-profile cases within Japan. With every case solved and every mystery unraveled by him, Andrew must confront not only criminal but the complexity of human emotions, including his own. "People are all born liars and are mostly used to lying, even to themselves, believing in their supposed honesty. If someone who has never lied truly existed, that very existence would be a lie. For humans, lying becomes a strategic tactic of survival in the game called 'life.' We fail to realize that at birth, that our freedom is none, we are slaves to intuition and fate itself, playing a game where, in the end, we inevitably lose no matter what." -Andrew Philosophy __________________________________ The cover Illustration by... : u/shijmei (Reddit) @ka_w0ruu (Tik Tok) Other Genre : -Psychological -Philosophical -Thriller / Suspense -Crime

“I only want you, Maximus. I already told my parents that I love you and I'm going to marry you. No one else.” Aurora indignantly exclaimed. Max was shaking his head from what he heard. “No. No. You’re not being fair, Aurora.” He felt himself losing his strength as well as any chance to change her mind. Max leaned his body at the back of the single chair, almost sitting on it. He tugged on his necktie, needing some more air. His gaze fell on the ground. He’s powerless against his father. He won’t be able to protect his girlfriend from his family. He didn’t notice that Aurora was already in front of him. He just felt her palm on his cheeks, caressing it gently. He looked up to her. “You’re not fair.” He mumbled weakly. Like a defeated child. She’s rubbing her thumb against his cheeks. “The world’s not fair, Max.” Shaking her head. “It’s never fair.” She commented breathlessly. “You get everything you want.” He ignored her actions. He’d gone numb all over. This girl was too much of everything. Too selfish to even understand how he felt. “No. I don’t have your heart.” Max swatted her hand away and stood up straight. He chuckled at her response and halted. He shook his head as he looked at her straight in the eyes. “You won’t. You don’t even have one.” ************** Aurora Fontalva got everything except the heart of a certain man. She only wants Max. But how can she make him fall for her when he already had someone? He loves his girlfriend. Maximus D’Arco can’t escape his family’s wish for him to marry the only Fontalva heiress. Worse, Aurora even blackmailed him, or his girlfriend would suffer. Why would he fall for someone who doesn’t even care about his feelings? Only his girlfriend does. Is there really a thin line between love and hate? What if the thread breaks? **************** AN: Be warned!!! This is not your typical romance. As the story progresses, it tackles family, career, toxic relationships, twisted attraction, love, hate, lust, and heavy drama. And there are cases in which you can be sensitive. Lastly, this is not for the weak of heart. Please read the FOREWORD. Thank you.

In a city on edge, an unknown force orchestrates a chilling sequence of truck and train crashes, leaving devastation in its wake. The mysterious, encoded clues left behind are indecipherable to the best investigators—until a unique team steps in. Joko, a deaf and stuttering but brilliant code-breaker, and Maya, a mute artist with an uncanny eye for details, defy expectations and biases as they take on one of the most dangerous cases their city has ever faced. Under the guidance of their dedicated commander, Handoko, the team dives deep into hidden codes, unspoken patterns, and frantic deadlines to prevent a catastrophic terror attack. But as they close in on the truth, the final message reveals something far worse than they anticipated. With thousands of lives at stake, Joko and Maya must push their abilities to the limit in this race against time where every second, and every clue, counts.

Faris adalah seorang pria muda Indonesia yang menjalani hidup penuh perjuangan, hingga sebuah diagnosis kanker paru-paru stadium akhir mengubah segalanya. Dalam detik-detik terakhir hidupnya, Faris mendapati dirinya berada di antara hidup dan mati, di sebuah ruang gelap yang dihuni oleh entitas aneh berwujud samar-samar. Entitas itu mengklaim bahwa Faris memiliki "potensi" untuk mengubah dunia lain, tetapi dengan cara yang tak biasa. Entitas tersebut menyerahkan sebuah revolver bolt action antik yang unik—senjata yang terasa berat namun asing di tangan Faris. Tanpa penjelasan lebih lanjut, Faris hanya diberi 10 peluru, tak lebih, dan langsung diteleportasi ke sebuah dunia yang asing. Dunia itu penuh dengan makhluk aneh, bahasa yang tak dimengerti, dan bahaya di setiap sudut. Kampretnya, Faris tak pernah diajari bagaimana cara menggunakan senjata itu. Ia harus belajar dari nol—cara mengisi peluru, membidik, dan menembak—sementara ancaman terus mengintainya. Di dunia ini, setiap peluru adalah harapan terakhirnya. Ia terjebak dalam dilema: menggunakan peluru untuk melindungi dirinya atau menyimpan amunisinya untuk sesuatu yang lebih besar. Dengan rasa takut, penasaran, dan tekad yang tak sepenuhnya utuh, Faris harus bertahan hidup di dunia yang kejam ini sambil mencari jawaban—mengapa ia dipilih, apa tujuan dari senjata ini, dan bagaimana ia dapat pulang, atau setidaknya menemukan kedamaian yang tak pernah ia rasakan. Sepuluh peluru, satu revolver, dan dunia asing yang tak mengenal belas kasihan. Mampukah Faris mengubah nasibnya, atau akankah ia kehilangan segalanya?

A girl, betrayed and murdered in her previous life, is reincarnated into a new world as a detective, burdened by the pain and isolation that followed her in death. Innocent yet deeply scarred, she struggles to find her place in a society that neither trusts her nor values her presence, much like her estranged families in both lives. Broken by the cruelties of humanity and the harsh indifference of nature, she resolves to solve every case and uncover every story, believing that by bringing justice and understanding to others, she might piece together the fragments of her own shattered existence. The world she now live in is one of mystery and wonder, filled with magical forces and supernatural beings, yet she and those around her are remarkably weak, making survival a battle. Her journey begins when a boy, dismissed and ignored by other detectives, begs for her help with a case only she is willing to take. Together, they form an unlikely partnership, bound by shared fragility and a mutual yearning for something greater. As they unravel mysteries, navigate the complexities of a magical world, and confront dangers far beyond their abilities, she must hide her past identity while confronting the demons of both her lives. Imperfect and wounded, she tries not for perfection but for a better life, determined to save everyone she can—even as she remains uncertain if she can save herself.

(The pages of my story with twists and turns await you, dear readers.) ____ I never thought my first-ever private mission would be a failure. On top of that, getting kidnapped was the worst mishap one could ever have in their life. And above all, getting kidnapped as a detective was just a loss of pride... But surprisingly, as the humid night passed with freezing fear, the path of opportunities to resume my mission grew. At a certain point of time, two options were slapped on my face; Either Become a Slave Or Become a Bride Of course, I chose to be the slave because... "No, you can't!" Eagle declared. "Why can't I?" He didn't reply, instead took my hand in his and sang across the Ghost City Court, "I, Beloved of Ghost City, Ghost of the Moon's and Eagle of White, hereby declare myself to be your husband by law and by heart." WHAT!? --- Enjoy the journey of Venesa who gets kidnapped and unfolds the secrets of the Ghost City, while she finds herself feeling drawn towards the unknown mafia she married. ---- Humorous MC- Check Green Flag ML - Check Strong FL - Check White moon- Bleh

In the bustling metropolis and the tranquil mountainside, an unexpected encounter sparks an electrifying romance fraught with danger and deception. Detective Alex Kane, grappling with amnesia after a mysterious accident, finds himself drawn to the enigmatic Mia Black, a skilled assassin on a covert mission. As Alex pieces together fragments of his forgotten past, he unwittingly unearths hidden truths that link their fates. With each passing chapter, the stakes escalate as they face betrayals, hidden identities, and a relentless conspiracy. Mia's orders to eliminate Alex clash with her growing affection for him, leading to intense confrontations and shocking revelations. Together, they unravel layers of deceit, forming an uneasy alliance to uncover the mastermind manipulating their lives. From daring rescues and life-threatening battles to heart-wrenching confessions, "Veils of Shadows" is a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions and intrigue. Amidst the chaos, Alex and Mia's bond deepens, forcing them to confront their darkest fears and secrets. But just when they believe they have uncovered the ultimate truth, another twist leaves them on the brink, questioning everything they thought they knew.

In the year 2000, 22-year-old Shin Dae-won, a supernatural detective, Investigates the death of Kim Ji-a a 22 year old Korean woman who died mysteriously just after graduating college, with no record of drinking, smoking, or killing herself.

How would you feel when you died and saw yourself in the future but this future is not one you wished for even your enemy to wake up to. When Captain Aria, a decorated soldier medic, is killed in battle, she is mysteriously transported to a damaged future, where she must navigate through an apocalypse, she must confront her own mortality, and fight to restore hope in a desperate world. In the year 2024, Captain Aria , a highly skilled and fearless soldier medic was part of an elite special forces unit. During this critical mission, she was fatally wounded and left for dead. However, Aria's death is only the beginning as She was thrown through time and space to the year 2178, where a catastrophic apocalypse has transformed the world into a wasteland. Aria awakens in a harsh, unfamiliar landscape that has been scarred by environmental disasters, nuclear devastation, and mutated insects. The once blue skies is now a toxic haze that reeks of ash and smoke. Aria was determined to survive this apocalypse and as she struggles to survive with her marine skills, she discovers some scattered survivors and someone she held dear. *** Released times are every day. I might release from 1_4 chapters a day so expect to read continuously. hehe ******** NOTE: This book is participating in Cupid Quill October so please your vote, gifts and comments is deeply appreciated

A smart and handsome young man unexpectedly travels through Hokkaido and meets a calm and intelligent black long straight detective girl. In this world where the Japanese police are known as the "salaried barrel group," they work together to cleverly reason and solve countless suspenseful problems ... Of course, this is impossible. What is actually being said here is that a young boy was struck by lightning and crossed Hokkaido. By chance, he unexpectedly met a foolish detective girl who was known as "Dongyu Town Intellectual Responsibility" and "Future Detective and Criminal Officer". Then, many funny stories happened!

Lime is a former detective turned writer. Everybody loves her written works. It was all going smoothly when one uneventful night she came across an accident which transported her to another world, the question is - was she the only one?

Two Men fell In love with each other, they both love each other deep down in their heart so the universe killed One of them and the one had to suffer from his death. but decades past both of them got reincarnated, where same sex relationship isn't forbidden. in there past life both of them promised with with each That they will be waiting for each other in their Next life. But Allan lost his memory and couldn't remember anything because of his past life trauma before. but his lover Leo keep loving him even if he has no memories.

Eden comes home after being away in college only to see his brother and mother missing. They leave Eden with nothing but worry and anxiety. Now with his brother gone and mother not here Eden will have to take the family business until he finds them. But what is the family business and why cant he remember his childhood or how his father died. What does this have to do with the disappearance of his brother and mom?

He was the police captain of a city branch, he was in the city Bureau special patrol detachment and police station, has been on the front line. Lam's stories are often related to the social background and the changes of The Times. A homicide today may have been caused by another murder 20 years ago, and that tragedy 20 years ago was caused by the social prejudices of the time. What is even more tragic is that behind the seemingly close family relationship is the relationship of mutual use. Some even turned themselves into tools. Ibsen once said, "What you plant in youth, you reap in old age." I think the same applies to Lam's crime. A professor at China Public Security University summed up crimes into two categories, "dangerous personality" and "dangerous mentality." "Dangerous personality" is easy to explain, is the congenital type of criminal personality or childhood psychological development problems. The serial killers I write about all the time, that's the type. As for "heart knot", it is divided into three types: The first is the meaning of the crime, the causes of which are often unthinkable. For example, your classmates always insult you, you prepare for a long time, while they are in the dorm, hammer them to death. Another example is that you hit someone by driving a car, and if you think that there are so many people who are now hit by porcelain, there is a lot of pressure on follow-up medical expenses, and if you directly hit people to death, the loss of money is within the range of bearing. This kind of crime is often accompanied by an irrational thinking, and the mind enters a dead end. The second is knowledge, this crime is often related to cognition, because the price rises, your house downstairs from one dollar to two dollars, you feel that the boss is not rising right, you must overwhelm him through your reason, and he has a dispute. You think he's wrong, and in order to prove your own rationality, you argue more and more violently, and finally kill him. Such crimes often involve arguments, entanglements, and most often issues of paranoia. The third is complex, this kind of crime is rooted in the pain of daily life, such as parents do not love you, say you can not get a wife, relatives and friends hate you, no one to communicate. You will become more and more withdrawn inside, want to revenge society. So you go out into the street and you take a knife and you cut people - the most terrible crime, the most difficult to prevent, but also the one we should be most aware of. But whether it is "meaning knot", "knowledge knot" or "complex", it often originates from a dangerous idea. If we can face up to and try to understand the social influences behind criminal behavior, we may be more rational in the "dark moment" when dangerous thoughts arise.

Riku Tanaka, a 16-year-old high schooler, is known for two things: his passion for baseball and his unmatched intellect. While most of his classmates see him as a natural-born ace pitcher, only a few close friends are aware of his true talent for solving puzzles, cracking codes, and deciphering the most complex of problems. A quiet genius, Riku’s mind thrives on physics, chemistry, and logic, but he has no interest in using these skills for anything other than his love for the game. However, Riku’s life takes an unexpected turn one fateful evening. After a long baseball practice, he stumbles upon a chilling crime scene in the heart of Tokyo. A gruesome murder has occurred, and the police, along with FBI agents, are baffled by the lack of evidence. Despite their best efforts, they can’t find any leads to solve the case. As the media frenzy intensifies, reporters press the head detective for answers. In a moment of inspiration, Riku, observing from the sidelines, casually interrupts and offers a chilling theory: “This isn’t just a murder. It’s a carefully planned message. And I know how to decode it.” The detective, initially skeptical, listens as Riku’s genius shines through. With unparalleled logic and a deep understanding of human psychology and science, he begins to unravel the mystery. His keen mind quickly identifies overlooked clues, and as he pieces together the puzzle, Riku uncovers a network of corruption, deception, and hidden motives far beyond what anyone could imagine. Riku’s involvement in the case grows, and soon, he’s solving murder mysteries, tracking down criminals, and outsmarting the most elusive perpetrators—all while keeping his identity as a high school student a secret. His love for baseball becomes a welcome distraction, but his passion for solving crimes starts to consume him. With his talent for deduction and a brilliant mind sharp enough to see through lies, Riku Tanaka becomes an unlikely detective, feared by criminals and admired by those who seek the truth. This manhwa focuses on a young genius navigating the world of crime-solving while balancing his school life, passion for baseball, and unraveling complex mysteries. With each case, Riku not only uncovers hidden truths but also grows as an individual, making it a compelling blend of mystery, intellect, and coming-of-age themes.

In the arid wastelands of Latin America stands **Solitary Bastion**, a fortress-like prison housing the nation's most dangerous criminals—cartel bosses, gang leaders, and unrepentant killers. In this volatile world of corruption and survival, the rules of morality are as fragile as the lives of those who dare uphold them. After dying in an underground fight, **Robert Viera**, a former boxer, finds himself reincarnated as a prison guard in this treacherous facility. Armed with a mysterious ability to see the full extent of someone's criminal life—and gain power by capturing or eliminating wrongdoers—Robert must navigate a labyrinth of danger, deceit, and deadly alliances. When Robert kills a cartel enforcer in self-defense during a prison riot, he becomes a marked man, targeted by the cartel and betrayed by his corrupt superiors. As conspiracies close in, Robert uncovers that even his warden and colleagues are players in a larger, sinister plot to silence him for good. With no one to trust and enemies lurking in every shadow, Robert must rely on his street smarts, fighting skills, and newfound abilities to survive. But in a place where justice is bought and loyalty is fleeting, will Robert's quest for redemption make him the savior of the prison—or its next victim? **"Shadows in the Bastion"** is a gripping tale of survival, betrayal, and one man's fight to expose the truth in a world where the lines between law and crime blur into darkness.

"I'm just a silly child with an unreachable dream. As a child, I always dreamed of being a Hero, but I went down the wrong path. I now look back at my foolish dream of wanting to be a Hero and saving others. Me, a Hero, what a farce. My sins can never be repented for they were too great." "Hah, don't even get me started on the story about my journey, for it's just a long and painful route to becoming a Diamond." "Power, luxury, worlds we can have all of them, but we can never fully be happy." "Diamond goddess my ass!! What is the use of becoming a powerful being if we can't even Live peacefully?" She turns to look at the child with pink hair and pink eyes. "Would you be interested in knowing who we are?" Iris asked the child. "Yes of course since I'm one too it would be good if I know," Polyra answered shyly and she twisted her hair on her fingertips. "Diamonds were supreme beings that were given to create life and destroy life, also known as world destroyers. They could pass through time and dimensions and create worlds of their own." I said as stars formed around them. "All Diamonds have a Diamond Gem in their body plus we have Diamond-shaped pupils to identify ourselves." "So then are we like cool or something," Polyra asked joyfully. Iris gave her a blank yet sad look, "I wish we were..." "All I know is throughout myself as a Diamond all I've felt was pain, but one thing that keeps me going is to find my sisters." "Diamonds are never free unless we're truly strong, but if we aren't we would be chased for the rest of our days." "What about the rest of the other Diamonds? There must be more people like us, right? Polyra asked nervously. "They're not my problem to deal with," Iris said coldly. "Then why did you save me?" Polyra asked as she stared deep into Iris's lifeless eyes. "Maybe a connection, I don't know." She responded. "Well then Iris if you won't find the rest of the other Diamonds, I will," Polyra stood up proudly. "Hahahaha, fine then have it your way." "Polyra, do you still want to be the Pink Diamond and become my follower?" she asked, stretching out her hand. "How can you also ask such a silly question Iris. You were the one who raised me and I don't care if I become a follower of the Black Diamond Goddess, because you're like a mother to me," she said softly. "Then the whole heavens would hate you dear child. For the Black Diamond shall always be the Diamond to bring calamity, chaos, and evil upon everything…." "And the Diamond war shall begin soon." The cover art isn't mine

Seorang gadis bernama jeslyn, pandai bermain game. di berikan hadiah game consol yang terdapat kaset game 703 saat usianya 6 tahun. Sering bermain game bersama kakak dan adiknya yaitu Hailey dan Carlos. Pada umurnya yang ke 15 tahun ia bertemu dengan seseorang yang ia cintai tapi Harus terhalang oleh dunia mereka dan pria bertopeng yang bisa masuk kedalam dua dunia mereka. Adiknya pun juga terseret Carlos usia 9 tahun di culik oleh pria bertopeng. Jeslyn harus meminta bantuan pada 703 dan bekerja sama agar bisa bisa bertemu dengan adiknya. Tapi di tengah jalan mereka harus melewati banyak rintangan. Melawan musuh dan monster yang ada di dalam game tersebut. Dua Tahun setelah jeslyn kehilangan adiknya Carlos. Seorang pria bernama Jacob memiliki 1 anak istrinya sudah meninggal ketika anaknya lahir. Kehidupannya menjadi berubah ia menjadi seorang penjudi dalam game player. Ia selalu gagal dalam bermain judi hingga ia terlilit hutang. Pria bertopeng melihat Jacob yang pantang menyerah memainkan game judi online Di tempat casino game's. Setelah melihat Jacob pingsan ia segera memberika sebuah kaset game bertulisan angka. Saat Jacob terbangun ia tidak mengingat apapun dan kini tengah memegang sebuah kaset game yang ada di tangannya tersebut. Ia bertemu dengan Sherly karakter cantik dan tegas yang ada di game tersebut. Tengah beberapa kali di permainkan oleh si pembuat game. Sherly harus mengeluarkan Jacob dari dunianya karna terlalu berbahaya jika Jacob masuk kedalam dunianya. Beberapa tahun kemudian seorang wanita menangkap jeslyn dan Jacob karna banyak orang orang yang hilang termasuk jeslyn Carlos dan Jacob pernah dinyatakan hilang beberapa tahun lalu. Mereka di tunjukan beberapa daftar nama orang orang yang hilang. Jeslyn menemukan nama karakter gamenya begitupun Jacob. Tapi Jacob tidak bisa kembali kesana dengan keadaan anaknya sedang sakit walaupun merindukan wanita di dalam hatinya. Jeslyn tetap meminta bantuan Jacob karna dunia orang yang mereka cintai akan terancam Punah begitupun juga dengan mereka. Mereka mencari tahu siapa pembuat game angka tersebut tapi tidak di temukan dimanapun. Bahkan jeslyn juga melacak kaset tapi juga tidak di temukan karna kaset tersebut di desain oleh pemiliknya dan tidak di jual di pemasaran. Mereka masuk ke dunia dimensi, di sana mereka melihat banyak sekali kenangan kenangan terdahulu. Hailey yang sedang membersihkan Kamar jeslyn yang kini menghilang secara tiba tiba. Tepat ia masuk kekamar itu lorong waktu tersebut terbuka. Ia masuk dan di pertemukan oleh orang yang selama ini ia cintai saat ia kecil walaupun awalnya tidak percaya. Tapi Hailey merasa pria tersebut tidak memiliki perubahan sama seperti saat masih kecil. Hailey sempat menepis pikiran negatifnya. Ayah Jeslyn sudah meninggal saat jeslyn meranjak dewasa. Tapi banyak rahasia yang sebenarnya belum tersampaikan oleh ayahnya. Para manusia bertopeng adalah musuh dalam karakter permainan. Sampai pada akhirnya jeslyn harus melawan mereka walaupun mereka adalah orang orang terdekat Jeslyn

In the beautiful town of Birchwood, where myth and reality collide, African/American Robert Bassey’s life took a drastic turn. His father's gruesome murder at the hands (or paws) of the Easter Bunny set him on a perilous path. Now, as a private detective specializing in the supernatural, Rob wields mystical martial arts to battle monsters and unravel paranormal mysteries. With his quick wit, sharp instincts, and ancient wisdom, Rob protects Birchwood and the world from malevolent forces lurking in the shadows. Joined by his loyal friends, Rob navigates treacherous landscapes and alternate dimensions, confronting creatures you can only imagine. As Rob delves deeper into the mysteries of his father's death, he uncovers a world of magic, mythology, and forgotten histories. With each case, he edges closer to the truth about the universe and all of existence. The Supernatural Private Detective is a heartwarming and exciting story that combines: - Action-packed martial arts -Creative abilities and powers - Supernatural mystery and suspense - Humor, heart, and unexpected alliances To give you the best reading experience of your life. Step into this wonderful world I’ve created. Thank you.

The heavy rain pounded against the windows, a relentless reminder of the storm raging outside. Inside, Elena stood at the edge of the living room, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as if the cold could keep the memories away. She had heard the knock at the door, but she didn’t move. She wasn’t sure if she could. “Elena.” The sound of her name broke through her thoughts, soft but insistent. She turned, and there he was—Liam, standing in the doorway, drenched from the downpour. His eyes were dark, filled with something she couldn’t name, and his lips parted like he had so much to say but didn’t know where to start. “I didn’t think you’d show up,” Elena said quietly, her voice trembling despite her efforts to sound steady. She didn’t want him here. Not now, not after everything. Liam took a step forward, his eyes never leaving hers. “I had to. I couldn’t leave things like this between us.” The words stung more than they should have, but she held her ground. “Things ended between us, Liam. You made sure of that.” He flinched, as if the words were a slap. “I know I did,” he said, his voice tight. “I was stupid. I pushed you away when I should’ve fought for you. And I... I didn’t trust you when you needed me to.” Elena’s heart twisted at the raw sincerity in his voice, but she couldn’t let him in that easily. “Why now, after all this time? After everything that’s happened?” “I don’t have an answer for that,” he admitted. “All I know is that I can’t keep pretending I don’t care about you. I never stopped caring.” The silence between them was thick, a chasm neither of them knew how to cross. The world outside continued to rage, but in that moment, it was just the two of them. Elena’s pulse raced, her mind torn between wanting to believe him and fearing the hurt that would come if she let him back in. “I don’t know if I can trust you again, Liam,” she whispered, the words slipping out before she could stop them. He stepped closer, reaching out like he was about to touch her but hesitated. “Then give me a chance to prove I’m worth trusting.” Elena’s breath caught, her chest tightening as something inside her wavered. For a moment, she could almost believe him. But the scars ran too deep. “I need time,” she said, finally looking away. “I need time to figure out if I can even forgive you.” Liam stood still, his expression a mixture of regret and understanding. “I’ll wait. As long as it takes.” And for the first time in a long time, Elena wondered if maybe—just maybe—she could let the past go and start again.