The house was unusually quiet that evening.
Elena sat curled up on the living room sofa, her hair slightly messy from the long day. A soft blanket was draped over her legs, and she absentmindedly scrolled through her phone.
The rain pattered softly against the windows, casting a dreamy blur over the city lights outside.
Ethan sat across from her, pretending to read a document, but his eyes kept drifting toward her.
She was finally here.
Safe.
His.
Alex lay between them, busy coloring in his new sketchbook, humming to himself. Every now and then, he'd proudly show his drawing — a crooked house, a stick-figure family, and a little sun in the corner.
"Look, Mommy!" he said happily, holding it up.
Elena smiled warmly, brushing his hair back.
"Beautiful, my little artist," she said softly.
Ethan watched her, his heart tugging painfully.
The fights, the misunderstandings, the jealousy — all seemed so distant now.
For a moment, they were just...a family.
"Are you hungry?" Elena asked suddenly, glancing up at Ethan.
He shook his head. "No. You?"
She shrugged. "Maybe a little. But too lazy to move."
Ethan chuckled under his breath. "I'll order something."
He stood and ruffled Alex's hair.
Elena leaned back, closing her eyes for a second, letting herself breathe.
Was it possible to feel this content...and scared at the same time?
Because deep inside, something didn't feel right.
A strange anxiety clawed at her heart — like a storm was waiting just beyond the horizon.
---
Meanwhile...
In the dark alley across the street, hidden behind the trees, a black van sat parked.
Inside, two men watched the house silently, noting the movements inside.
"That's the kid," one of them whispered, tapping the window with his finger.
"The CEO's son. Big money."
The other man smirked.
"Let's wait. We'll find the right moment."
The rain kept falling, washing away all footprints.
No one would suspect a thing.
---
Back at home...
Dinner arrived — simple pizza and fries.
Elena, Ethan, and Alex laughed and ate together like nothing in the world could touch them.
But fate was already writing a cruel twist into their story.
And soon, the fragile peace would shatter.