The apartment, which had felt safe just moments ago, now felt unfamiliar.
Threatening.
Every shadow seemed deeper.
Every noise louder.
Another sound.
Closer this time.
Iva’s pulse spiked.
She moved toward the door slowly, her steps light despite the tension coiling in her muscles, her grip tightening on the lamp as she positioned herself just to the side.
Waiting.
Listening.
And then—
The handle moved.
The door opened.
And instinct took over.
With a sharp gasp, Iva swung the lamp forward with all the force she had, aiming straight at the figure entering—
“Wait—!”
The voice came too late.
The impact didn’t.
But just before it fully connected—
The light shifted.
Her eyes focused.
And she froze.
“…Caleb?”
--
The last thing Caleb expected—
The absolute last thing—
Was
