Chapter 152 CHAPTER 153

Chapter 152 CHAPTER 153
CHAPTER 153
NARRATOR
Grey’s threats had become worse. The latest message arrived in the group chat late in the afternoon. This time he did not just send words. He sent a picture. It was a clear photo of Yael sitting in the cafeteria earlier that day, taken from outside the window. The message underneath read: “I see you. I’m closer than you think. Soon I will have you again.”

The entire group panicked.

Aaron was in his dorm when the message came through. The second he saw the photo, his face turned red with rage. He slammed his fist on the desk and shouted at the phone.

“Find him!” he yelled into the call with his men. “I don’t care what it takes! He just sent a picture of my sister from today! He is watching her right now! Work faster! I want him found before the sun goes down!”

“We are doing everything we can, sir. We are tracing the number and checking all nearby cameras.”

Aaron’s voice rose even louder. “Everything is not enough! He is getting bolder. He is sending photos now. Do you understand what that means? He is planning something. I want every available man on this right now. No excuses!”

He ended the call and threw his phone on the bed. His hands were shaking with anger. He paced the room, running his fingers through his hair.

A soft knock came at the door. Maya opened it and stepped inside. She had seen the message too. Her face was full of worry.

“Aaron,” she said gently. “I saw the photo. Are you okay?”

Aaron stopped pacing and looked at her. His eyes were hard. “No. I’m not okay. That bastard just sent a picture of Yael from today. He is watching her every move. He knows exactly where she is.”

Maya walked closer and touched his arm. “I know. Everyone is scared. But you need to breathe. You’re shouting at your men and you’re going to burn yourself out.”

He pulled away from her touch. “I can’t breathe right now, Maya. My sister is in danger. He is getting closer. I doubled the guards again but it is not enough. I need to find him. I need to end this.”

Maya’s voice stayed calm. “You are doing everything you can. Your men are working around the clock. Knox is with Yael right now. She is not alone. But you are going to make yourself sick if you keep going like this. When was the last time you slept properly?”

Aaron laughed bitterly. “Sleep? How am I supposed to sleep when that monster is sending pictures of my sister? I keep seeing the messages in my head. He is describing what he wants to do to her. I can’t rest until he is caught.”

Maya stepped in front of him and took both of his hands. “Aaron, look at me. You are not alone in this. I am here. The whole group is here. You are carrying too much by yourself. Let me help you. Come sit down for a minute.”

He shook his head. “I can’t sit down. I need to call my men again. I need to make sure they are checking every lead.”

Maya held his hands tighter. “They are already doing that. You shouting at them is not going to make them work faster. You need to rest. Even for thirty minutes. You look exhausted.”

Aaron’s voice cracked with frustration. “I don’t care how I look. Yael is the one in danger. I promised myself I would protect her. I promised my mom I would always take care of her. And now this bastard is getting closer every day. I feel like I’m failing her.”

“You are not failing her,” Maya said firmly. “You have increased security. You are working with your men. You are there for her every day. She knows how much you love her. But you cannot keep going like this. You are going to break.”

Aaron looked away, his jaw tight. “I will rest when he is caught. Not before.”

Maya pulled him toward the bed and made him sit down. She sat beside him and wrapped her arms around him.

“Please,” she whispered. “Let me take care of you for once. You are always taking care of everyone else. Just for a little while, let me hold you.”

Aaron stayed stiff for a moment, then slowly relaxed into her arms. He rested his head on her shoulder.

“I’m scared, Maya,” he admitted quietly. “I’m really scared for her. Every time I read one of those messages, I see red. I want to find him and end this myself.”

Maya rubbed his back slowly. “I know you do. But you are not alone. Knox is with her right now. He is not leaving her side. The guards are everywhere. We are all watching out for her. You have done so much already.”

Aaron closed his eyes. “I still feel like it is not enough. She has been through so much. The shooting. The kidnapping. And now this. I should have protected her better.”

“You are protecting her,” Maya said. “Every single day. She feels safe because of you. But you need to take care of yourself too. For her. For me.”

He stayed quiet for a long time, just letting Maya hold him. The fear in the group was growing every day. Grey’s threats were becoming more personal and more violent. Everyone could feel the danger getting closer.

Finally, Aaron spoke again, his voice low. “I will try to rest. But only for a little while. I can’t stop until he is caught.”

Maya kissed his forehead. “That’s all I ask. Just a little rest. I’ll stay right here with you.”

Aaron nodded and let her pull him down onto the bed. He lay on his back and stared at the ceiling. Maya curled up beside him and rested her head on his chest.

“You are a good brot
her,” she whispered. “Yael is lucky to have you. And so am I.”