The person at the door hadn''t even finished speaking before their voice was droword out by Vespera and Reba''s hall-volume serranns


    The bolted into the bathroom. Inside, both of them were gasping for breath, hearts pounding


    outside, it isddenly went quiet.


    Then, Reba stated tagging frantically at Vespera, inging her to look toward a door across the room.


    The bathroom had another exit to the balcony, and right now, it was slowly creaking open. Beyond it was pitch ck beyond it—nothing was visible.


    They swore they were national people. They didn''t believe in the supernatural. But right now? This blood cold.


    Atrey thought began to take shape in both their minds-what it talking about that missing boy sote at night had actually drawn him to them?


    And as that thoughtnded, a face slowly leaned into view.


    Aclose-upata handsome face appeared tight in front of them.


    Their hearts nearly stopped...


    "Hey, it''s post me! Don''t!" came a quiet voice from the other side. It was Calvert


    He kept his tone low and gentle, hoping ther wouldn''t scream and bolt again. Thest thing he wanted was to scare them even more.


    Vespers and Reba, however, wanted nothing more than to end him right there with a teambo attack


    Vespera snappeil, "Do you even know what time it is? You can''t just pop out of nowhere like that, people can literally be scared to death!"


    "Mr. Reid sent to protect you guys," Calvert replied sheepishly, sneaking a nce at Reba as he added the guys" part.


    Not long after, the police arrived. Reba told them it was just their friend at the door.


    As for the ckout? Just a power trip. Nothing more


    To help them feel safer, the officers checked everyer of the apartment. There was nothing suspicious, no one hiding. Only then did they leave


    Later that night, Calvert crashed on the couch.


    Vespera and Reba stayed in the bedmom. Neither of them could sleep.


    I mean...maybe you should just ask Dominic to handle the Soule family. At this rate, we''ll be dead before we even get the damn evidence," Reba mumbled, defeated


    Vespera tumed onto her side, thinking for a moment.


    "Let''s not even talk about whether he''s willing to help. If he does say yes.. what if he asks for something Inappropriate in return? Do Lagree or not? If yes, don''t that make it a transaction?


    I mean maybe I''m overthinking it. But even if he doesn''t ask for anything-after epting that kind of favorit he asks for somethingter, how could I say no? Isn''t that just another kind of trade?"


    Rebelled. "You make offering your heart sound like some kind of horror story"


    Vespera sighed. "Because it is. Offering yourself is just another form of transactional exchange. And I don''t want to be in any kind of trade with him


    if I''m going to sell myself, I might as well sell to someone like Luke-that sorry excuse for a man who''s barely better than an animal.


    I Lae wants is to marry Ti and have kids. Fine. Let him. If he wants to bring a demon into his life, then let him marry her."


    Reba thought it over "Hardestly? Fine. Let them enjoy their little victory while itsts. Once we have solid evidence, we''ll expose everything, inchiding that release agreement


    It''s a murder. A major crime. If we have hard proof, we''ll stis public opinion too. No way the Munoz family or the Sole ally can cover that up."


    "Vespera didn''t answer. She closed her eyes.


    The drdson wrai made.


    Taberna nced over at her, thinking she was asleep. She smiled quietly to berselt


    Some people talk like they''ve got it all figured out but don''t even realize when they''ve already fallen for someone. People could trade and buy anything in the world except genuine feelings.


    The beat moning, with Reba by her side. Vespera went to the police station and signed the release agreement.


    Late rushed over as soon as he heard. By the time he aved, Vespera had already shed and was walking out.


    They ran into each other at the entrance


    *Veripera, I''m d you decided to sign. I know you''re angry, and I understand. If there''s anything you want, anything at all, just say it. I''ll do anything to make it mp to you," Luke said, looking at her carefully, pain and desperation written all over his face


    "Lalor, you''ve got some seriously thick skin! You honestly make me sick!" Bebeca red at him, ready to grab a rock and smash it over his head.


    Vespers didn''t even look at him. She walked past like he was nathing but al


    Luke, unwilling to give up, followed after her


    Mat faroff, ac


    lowly pulling op to the entrance.