Night still cloaked the city when Adrian parked his car in the far corner of an old café’s lot, nearly deserted. The streetlights flickered faintly, and the cold air bit through his coat. He sat behind the wheel for a long moment, reconsidering his decision.

“Why am I doing this…” he muttered, rubbing his weary face. He knew Deviana would be furious if she ever found out. But Vanessa’s sobs from the night before still haunted him, echoing in his mind like screams he couldn’t silence.

At last, with a heavy sigh, he stepped out. The café door creaked as he pushed it open. The smell of stale coffee mixed...