Chapter 20 — In The Quiet Of The Night

Chasing Danger
The sunlight streamed softly through the curtains as she stood by the bed, sipping from her coffee cup while preparing her bag.

She was going to visit her parents’ house, a visit she had asked Evan’s permission for, and he had allowed her until evening.

Since her marriage two months ago, she hadn’t stepped into her family home, she had only kept in touch through short phone calls.

Every time she rang, they asked when she would visit, saying how much they missed her. Alexa had urged her many times as well, and at last, Jenna had decided to go.

She slid her phone into the bag, zipped it, and set the empty cup aside.

Evan had already left for the office at eight, reminding her before leaving not to stay past evening.

After locking the windows and drawing the curtains, she stepped out of the room, light makeup brightening her features, her hair falling loose around her shoulders, jewelry prominenting her complexion as her purse swung gently at her side.

She stopped by the kitchen first to rinse her cup because Evan despised leaving anything out of order.

Outside, the driver was already waiting. She climbed in, and half an hour later the car stopped in front of her father’s house.

A smile broke across her face as she stepped out, waved to the guard, and hurried inside.

Her mother appeared first, eyes lighting with joy, pulling Jenna into a fierce embrace that seemed to compensate for the weeks apart.

Her father followed, the sternness on his face softening into a rare smile as he patted her shoulder.

From the hallway came Alexa, rushing forward with excitement, calling her name. She nearly knocked the purse out of Jenna’s hand as she hugged her tightly and laughed breathlessly.

The house bloomed instantly with warmth and chatter, everyone speaking at once as though two months were years.

“You have no idea how much I’ve missed you, Jenna! You’ve gone all distant since your wedding, haven’t you?” Alexa teased, making their parents chuckle.

“Well, of course,” their mother said warmly. “My daughter has her own home to tend now, she’s become responsible.” She added with a gentle smile, rising from the couch and making her way toward the kitchen.

“Huh? If I couldn’t come, did you bother visiting me?” Jenna teased back. “And look at Dad—he acts so distant, as if I don’t even exist. He never calls me.”

Her father gave a small chuckle. “Now, don’t say that. I did call you, twice.”

“Only twice in two months?” She exaggerated her outrage, eyes widening in mock offense.

Her father laughed under his breath. “When my daughter calls me first, why should I call her again the same day? My love, you’re always with me, I don’t need reminders to feel your presence.”

Her teasing melted instantly, and she hugged him like a child clinging to her father after too long.

By the afternoon, they had gone out shopping. Alexa had insisted Jenna join her, saying she needed outfits and accessories for an upcoming party at her law university, where she was now in her third semester. At first, Jenna refused, but Alexa’s persistence wore her down, and she finally agreed.



Evan returned from the office around seven, exhaustion trailing him like a shadow that wouldn’t leave. He loosened his tie as he stepped into the lounge, expecting Jenna to be there, but the room offered nothing but a hollow quiet. Cushions sat undisturbed, and the air felt stripped of her presence.

A flicker of irritation ran across his face as his gaze scanned the space. The emptiness pressed against him like a wall he couldn’t break, and his jaw tightened. He moved toward the stairs, each step heavier with the sense that something was wrong.

Pushing open the bedroom door, he called sharply, “Jenna!” His voice cut through the stillness as he called several times but no reply came.

His eyes swept the room with precise urgency, but the emptiness struck deeper than the silence below.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed her number. The line was dead. No ring, no answer. Only the quiet daring him to lose control.

She was already an hour late. His fists clenched at his sides, trembling with restrained rage, muscles taut at his temples.

He drew a sharp breath, burst out of the room, and came to a halt by the railing before dialing the guard’s number.

The line rang before a voice finally answered, but Evan’s words cut in sharply.

“Why hasn’t Jenna come home yet?” His hands gripped the railing as his eyes roamed the empty lounge.

“Boss, I’ve been standing here for almost an hour, but no one came out of the house. The gatekeeper said they went shopping.”

Evan’s eyes narrowed. He slammed a fist against the pillar, jaw stiff.

“WHAT? She went shopping without a guard?” His voice cracked in disbelief, more of a verdict than a question.

“Boss, I arrived exactly at five minutes before six, as you ordered, but she never came out.”

“Fine. Stay there. Don’t move until she returns. Did you try calling her?” Evan demanded.

“Yes, boss. I tried several times, but her phone was out of reach.”

Evan cursed under his breath, pounding the railing before ending the call. Each step down the stairs reverberated like a drumbeat, his anger gathering.

He dialed her number again outside, but no answer. His muscles coiled as if ready to strike, his body simmering with fury. He yanked the car door open, slammed into the seat, twisted the key sharply, and tore from the driveway.

Halfway down the road, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He immediately grabbed it from the pocket.

“Boss, ma’am has arrived. I’m driving off now.”

“Well,” Evan muttered, curt and cold, before ending the call and tossing the phone onto the passenger seat.

As the road stretched before him, old memories surged unbidden. They clawed at his mind, reviving the pain he had buried and doubling the fear gnawing at him now.

No matter how fearless he appeared, he could not endure the thought of losing his woman a second time. He had already lived through that torment once, and it had nearly broken him.

His knuckles whitened around the steering wheel as he gripped it tighter, every pulse of blood in his veins pounding with fury. The large dial of his Rolex caught the light, the time glaring back at him as if mocking his impatience.

Damn it, Jenna… why won’t you listen! Just get back… get back now… and see what’s waiting for you when I arrive!

He slammed his fist on the wheel as a thought struck him, the sharp bang echoing in the car. The tires screeched as he pressed harder on the accelerator, fury and fear propelling him forward.