Two days after the incident
The house was too quiet.
That type of quiet that makes the skin on your arms rise.
I was standing by the window when I saw it—
a dark shadow shifting just outside the gate.
I blinked once.
Twice.
It didn't move away.
"Mari…" I whispered.
"What now?" she replied from the kitchen.
"Mari, come here." My voice cracked without my permission.
She walked over lazily, wiping her hands on her shorts. "What—"
Her words died when she saw my face.
"Girl… did you see something?"
I swallowed hard. "Not something… someone."
She frowned. "What are you talking about?"
I stepped away from the window slowly, my heart hammering.
"Mari, someone is watching us. Not one—many. They're trying to get in."
She shot forward and peeked carefully through the curtain.
Her breath hitched. "Zara… close the doors. Now."
I didn't think.
I ran.
Locked the back door.
Locked the front door.
Pulled the small latch on the kitchen window with shaking hands.
"Mari, what is this?" My voice trembled. "Why are they here? Who are they? What do they want?"
She grabbed her hair in both hands. "Zara, I don't know! I don't know who they are! You brought this mess—"
"Was I supposed to leave the baby to die?" I whispered, my throat tightening.
My voice cracked. "She didn't deserve that."
Mari didn't answer.
The baby in my arms shifted and began to fuss—soft whimpers that threatened to grow louder.
"Zara ," mari whispered again.
"What?" I snapped, her nerves clearly breaking.
"Call Marco."
She jerked her head toward me like I had suggested summoning the devil.
"What? Are you crazy? How?"
"I don't have his number."
Mari groaned loudly, pacing. "You should have asked for it, Zara! You should have—"
"I know this baby would put us in danger. And how do YOU know this is because of her?"
My eyes locked onto hers.
She looked away.
"Mari," I whispered slowly, "what are you hiding?"
"Nothing," she said too quickly. "Nothing. Let's just go. Now."
We slipped to the back door, moving like scared shadows, trying to be silent.
My hands shook so violently I almost dropped the key while unlocking it.
The moment the door cracked open
the baby started crying.
Not soft.
Loud.
Shrill.
Panicked.
A cry that could be heard down the street.
My heart dropped into my stomach.
Mari and I looked at each other with the same fear in our eyes.
Then—
"There they are! Don't let them get away!"
The shout tore through the silence like a knife.
We ran.
My legs were burning, my arms aching as I held the baby close. The world blurred. I didn't care if I fell—I only cared that she didn't.
But then—
My foot hit a rock.
I lost balance.
I twisted my body, protecting the baby as I crashed into the ground.
Pain exploded in my arm.
My head slammed against a metal rod.
Stars filled my vision.
"Mari…" I whispered, dizzy. "Help me."
She stopped.
Looked back at me.
And then… she shook her head.
"No. No, no, no… Mari, please," I begged, pulling myself up on trembling arms. "Take the baby. Just take her. Don't let them kill us both."
The look in her eyes was cold.
Empty.
Gone.
"I'm sorry, Zara," she said quietly. "One day you'll understand."
"Understand WHAT?" I screamed.
She took a deep breath.
"You know me. Once money is involved, there's nothing I won't do."
My lips parted.
No sound came out.
She continued, voice growing steadier:
But I am a very jealous person zara.
"I gave you a place to stay. I helped you. And what did I get? Nothing. My boss pays you double my salary. You walk in and take everything. Even Marco—he looks at you in ways he never looked at anyone."
Her eyes filled with hatred.
"If you were me… what would you have done?"
A dark figure stepped out of the alley behind her.
"There they are," the man said, smirking. "Good work, Mari. You made it easy."
"My payment," she said coldly, stretching out her hand.
"How much did they pay you?" I whispered.
"Seventy thousand dollars."
She said it like it was nothing.
The man came closer, grabbed my hair, yanked my head back.
The baby screamed in terror and I held her tighter even as tears blurred my vision.
Mari walked away.
Didn't look back.
Didn't hesitate.
I watched her get into a taxi and disappear.
The man leaned down, his breath hot and filthy against my ear.
"Now, girl… let's teach you what happens when you interfere with my boss's business."
His hand raised—
But a voice cut through the air.
A voice that froze every bone in my body.
A voice colder than the night.
"Touch her… and I'll send you to the Lord myself."