<b>Chapter </b><b>352 </b>


    In the vi, Zach had just finished showering and strolled over to the window with the intention <b>of </b>drawing the curtains closed. However, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a ck sedan parked not far from the front door, with its engine off and silent in the night.


    He eyed the vehicle with a hint of suspicion before shrugging it off and pulling the curtains shut.


    Feeling a bit parched, he left his room and headed downstairs to grab a bottle of water from the fridge.


    Shawn was still lounging in the living room, engrossed in thete–night show flickering on the TV. Zach sauntered over and flopped down on the couch beside him, asking, “Why aren’t you watching TV in your room? It’s gettingte.”


    Shawn nced at Zach, with a hint of concern shadowing his features. “Your sister hasn’te home yet.”


    Zach’s brow furrowed in surprise. “What? Mira’s not back yet?” As far as he was concerned, his sister was a veritable bookworm. Post–dinner, she’d typically vanish into her room to hit the books. Trying to talk her into a shopping spree was like trying to move a mountain.


    She was always home before ten – reliably, predictably. A genuine goody two–shoes.


    “Yeah, I tried calling her, but no answer. No clue what she’s up to,” Shawn sighed. A father’s worry etched deeper lines into his face. She’d left a note saying she might bete, but silence had followed.


    Zach patted his pockets, remembering his phone was upstairs. “I’ll go up and grab my phone.”


    He thundered back upstairs and quickly dialed Mirabe’s number, only to be greeted by the endless ring of an unanswered call. Frowning, he pulled back the curtains, stepped out onto the balcony, and once again, his gazended on the ck sedan parked outside.


    Who the heck parked in front of their house?


    He nced at the car a few more times, decided not to concern himself with it, and leaned against the balcony railing while shooting a few messages to Mirabe on Messenger.


    Five minutester, still no reply.


    Clutching his phone, Zach contemted setting a new house rule with his parents, a curfew that didn’t allow anyone toe home past eight, especially his sister.


    As he turned back, his eyes casually swept over the driveway. That was when he saw the car’s headlights flick on. He didn’t want to pry, but then the car door opened, and a familiar figure stepped out, apanied by a man whose face was hidden in the shadows. Zach’s eyes went wide.


    Holy crap, that was Mirabe!


    10:55


    Gripping his phone<b>, </b>Zach dashed inside. He pounded down the stairs. His face was pale and


    tense.


    Shawn watched his son make a second frantic trip up <b>and </b>down the stairs. And his expression was strangely rming<b>. </b>“Zach, what’s up? Where are you off to in such a hurry?”


    Zach, fuming, <b>didn’t </b>even pause. “I’ll be right back.”


    Shawn was left staring after him. This didn’t <b>look </b>like a boy stepping out for a moment; this looked like someone ready to start a rumble.


    <b>What </b>on earth was riling him up thiste at night? Shawn shook his head and decided to let it


    <ol start="90">


    <li>90<b>. </b></li>


    </ol>


    Zach flung open the front door and bolted out, reaching the entrance just as Mirabe swiped her card, and the door swung open.


    She nearly collided with Zach, taking a moment to register the scene before <i>her</i>. As it dawned on her, she noticed his face, red with anger, and he was still wearing the pristine slippers from indoors. She asked with a frown, “Zach, what’s wrong? Are you going out?”


    Zach red at his sister with tight lips, then quickly turned to look behind her. “Where’s the car? And that weird guy?”


    Mirabe was taken aback. Her face was a mask of confusion.