Ethan's p.o.v

Martha's voice dripped with venom as she continued, "Since you've chosen to walk into this alone, leaving that... woman behind, I see no reason to drag this out any longer." A cold, mirthless smile twisted her lips. "She's merely fortunate her own fate's been postponed – for now. But make no mistake, her time's coming, and it won't be pleasant."

A chill coursed through my veins like ice water as Martha's words hung in the air, her eyes glazing over with a detached calculation. Her fingers, steady as stone, wrapped tighter around the gun's grip, the metal gliding into position with a soft, ominous click. The trigger waited,...