Liyana sat curled in the back of her Uber, watching the city lights smear across the frosted window as the car drove through the streets of New York. A soft smile tugged at her lips, her phone pressed warmly to her ear. She had done it. She had flown Diego out to LA, and was on the phone with him while he checked into the Hotel. With the discreet help of a police friend, she had finally tracked Harmony down and had asked Diego to go and get their friend back. When she had checked her address online, she was surprise to find out that it was a pristine, gated community, quiet, polished, expensive. The kind of neighborhood where security cameras blinked from trimmed hedges. She wasn’t sure if Harmony actually lived there.. but part of her hoped she did. Maybe someone had taken her in. Maybe Harmony and her baby had found safety. “I got you one of the best hotels in LA,” she said, excitement lilting through her voice. “Isn’t it amazing?” She tapped the driver’s shoulder, signaling him to stop. Her Uber slowed in front of a sleek studio building, today’s shoot. Another campaign, another day of smiling for cameras. Liyana stepped out, heels clicking as she pushed through the glass doors. “Diego, cariño, make sure you bring her home,” she said sweetly. “And enjoy LA while you’re at it. Rent a car, explore a little, hm? Take Harmony out somewhere nice, give her something good to eat.” She paused. She didn’t know if Harmony had already given birth. But either way, the girl needed strength. She needed nourishment, care, comfort. “Use the credit card I sent you,” she reminded him. “I love you. Keep me updated, okay? Bye, babyyy.” She hung up with a bright, satisfied smile.
Harmony had no idea her childhood best friend was anywhere near California, let alone that he had flown from Medellín just to find her. She was at the gym, focused and glowing, training for her upcoming film role. Weeks of consistency were finally showing: her stomach toned again, her ass lifted and sculpted, her muscles defined with that familiar strength she had missed. She felt good. She felt like herself again. Two hours a day had become routine, sometimes followed by a run while Isabella, their nanny, stayed with baby Ace and Nate worked. Today was no different. After her workout, she grabbed groceries and drove home, humming to herself as she pulled into the driveway. But when she stepped out of the car, the air shifted. A tall man stood at her front door, back turned, still as stone. Her breath hitched sharply. Her pulse jagged. Ice flooded her veins. Was he from Morta Fenice? Had they found her? Had Lily sent someone, again, to terrorize her life? Her fingers trembled as she subtly palmed her phone, thumb hovering near Nate’s name. She swallowed, forcing her voice steady as she approached. “Hey… excuse me?” she called out. “Can I help you?” Her heart thudded hard enough to bruise, her mind already spiraling through every worst-case scenario.
