Evelyn’s POV

The note burned in my pocket like a live coal. Every time I moved, I felt its weight, its sharp edges digging into my side as if to remind me it existed.

I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the crumpled piece of paper now spread on the nightstand. The bold black letters were stark and unforgiving.

“You’re making a mistake. Stay in your place, or you’ll regret it.”

I read the words over and over, searching for some hidden meaning, some clue that would point me toward its author. But nothing about it gave anything away. No signature, no smudges, nothing.

A thousand questions...