Chapter 65: An unexpected guest
In the morning, when I woke up, Sean wasn’t beside me. His side of the bed was cold, the sheets slightly creased. I stretched, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and sighed, he must have gone out for his jog already.
I got up, bathed, and took my time fixing myself. When I stood in front of the mirror, I tilted my head slightly, admiring my reflection. My skin was glowing softly, my hair falling neatly around my shoulders.
“Mmh, not bad,” I murmured to myself with a small smile.
Just then the door opened. Sean walked in, drenched in sweat, breathing hard, shirt clinging to his chest.
“There she is,” he said through a crooked grin.
He leaned in to kiss me, and I stepped back, holding my hands up. “Sean! You’re sweaty!” I exclaimed, scrunching my face in horror.
He laughed loudly. “Wow… rejected. That hurt.”
“You will survive,” I teased.
“I will remember this,” he said dramatically before heading into the bathroom.
I rolled my eyes affectionately and made my way downstairs.
Mom and Connor were in the living room, tending to her plants like an old married gardening team.
“Morning,” I greeted.
Mom looked up with a warm smile. “Good morning, sweetheart, Slept well?”
“Very well,” I said. “You two look busy.”
Connor held up one of Mom’s pots. “Your mother is trying to revive a plant that should have been declared dead last week.”
Mom swatted his arm. “I am giving it hope.”
“False hope,” Connor said under his breath.
I burst out laughing. “Let me leave you two before you start fighting again.”
In the kitchen, the counters were spotless, thanks to giving all the maids leave so we could have more quality family time. I started breakfast, cracking eggs and setting bread aside for toast. Halfway through flipping an omelet, I heard footsteps.
Sean reappeared, now smelling intoxicatingly fresh and wearing grey track pants that made me stare just a little too long.
“Well,” he smirked, leaning against the counter, “do I get my kiss now?”
“Maybe,” I said, pretending to focus on the stove.
Sean came over and started helping me prepare. “You know,” he said softly, “I like this. Just us.”“Me too.”
Soon, everything was ready: scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, avocado, fresh juice. We laid it all out on the dining table.
“Mom! Connor!” I called. “Breakfast!”
They came over still talking about plants, sat down, and we all started chatting, laughing, and enjoying the morning, It was warm.
After we finished, Sean and I washed the dishes together. I was drying a plate when the doorbell suddenly rang. Connor frowned. “Expecting someone?”
“No,” we all answered.
He walked to the door cautiously. We heard voices, then silence, then a tense, “Who are you looking for?”
We all hurried to the entrance.
There stood a woman in her mid-thirties, short hair, neat clothes, eyes sharp and watchful.
“I’m looking for her,” she said, pointing at me.
My heart paused. “Me?”
Sean stepped in front of me without thinking, and Connor’s entire posture shifted to protective, and alert. “Who are you?” Connor demanded.
“My name is Cindy,” she replied calmly. “I’m Liu’s wife.”
I blinked. “Liu…?”
Sean whispered, “The one from the prison list Connor got, Michael’s friend.”
Cindy nodded. “Yes. Liu and Michael were acquaintances in prison… but not allies.”
We exchanged horrified glances.
Cindy lifted her hands slightly. “Relax. I’m not here to harm you. I’m here because we can help each other.”
Sean’s jaw tightened. “Why would we believe that?”
“Because Michael is planning to deal with every single person who has crossed him,” she said matter of factly. “Including all of you.” A chill wrapped around my spine.
Connor narrowed his eyes. “How do we know you’re not working for him?”
“You don’t, Not yet.” She took out a small piece of paper, placing it on the table. “But I live with my grandmother, You can verify that, also do a full background check afterall I have nothing to hide.”
“And what exactly are you offering?” I asked.
She looked at me steadily. “Protection, Information and most importantly a way to get rid of Michael for good.”
Silence stretched in the room.
Mom gasped softly while Sean’s hand found mine.
I swallowed. “And why help us?”
“Because Michael betrayed people he shouldn’t have,” she said quietly. “Including my husband and he’s planning something far worse than you think.”
Connor asked sharply, “And Nancy? Her involvement?”
Cindy looked almost surprised. “Oh Nancy? You won’t see her anytime soon, Her parents took her abroad, They want her far away from this mess.”
My blood boiled, I had unfinished business with Nancy. Hearing she had escaped annoyed me deeply.
Cindy stood and smoothed her jacket. “When you are ready, contact me, but don’t take too long. Michael doesn’t wait.” She walked out, leaving the air heavy behind her.
We stood frozen for a moment before Sean exhaled shakily.
“That was… insane,” he muttered.
Connor rubbed his temples. “I will run a background check immediately.” “Thank you,” I said softly.
Mom whispered, “This is becoming more dangerous.”
Connor left to the study and Sean guided me back into the living room. I sat on the couch, but my thoughts were racing too fast. He knelt in front of me, while gently taking my hands to reassure me. I lifted my eyes and met his and in his eyes, there was only certainty, but I can not bring myself to harm anyone. Mom also walked over and placed a hand on my shoulder "Sweethearts, if Cindy is telling the truth, than we will follow her lead, don't forget we are dealing with a monster far bigger than we realized." but what if she is lying and we are walking into a trap? " I asked and" How did this Cindy even get our address? " If she's working for Michael I will destroy her. Sean looked at me on awe. I looked at mom, who is going through her struggles but she still had the heart to comfort me and my heart softened instantly.