Chapter 360


    I tugged at Hannah''s hand, skipping down the front steps in a frenzied flight, and we ended up heading


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    the wrong way.


    The alley by the house offered no cover. There was no ce to hide. By the time I realized our mistake,


    it was toote to double back—the footsteps from the courtyard were already rmingly close, right at


    the front door.


    Frozen in shock, a scream nearly escaped my lips as someone clutched my arm with hisrge hands.


    A hushed "Shh" sounded in my ear. It was Hannah who mped a hand over my mouth. The person


    yanked me back a few steps, shoving me down behind a public trash bin.


    Trying to make myself as small as possible, I peeked through the gap between two bins, desperate for


    a glimpse of what was happening.


    The person moved swiftly, dragging Hannah across the street to the opposite side of my hiding spot,


    and pinned her against a wall. The person''s body obscured our view...


    Just around the corner from the courtyard gate, the person and Hannah were entangled in what


    seemed like a passionate embrace, perfectly mimicking a couple lost in a kiss under the cover of


    darkness.


    It hit me then—they were a diversion. Anyoneing out of the courtyard would have their attention


    hijacked by the silhouettes,pletely missing my presence.


    Meanwhile, the courtyard gate creaked softly as it was gently pushed open, but Jan quickly


    retreated back inside.


    It seemed he too was startled by the unexpected sight.


    After a few eerily silent seconds, Jan asked carefully, "Who''s there? What are you doing?"


    The person outside turned toward Jan, snapping irritably, "Mind your own damn business!"


    It was spot-on—the annoyed retort of a man whose romantic moment had been interrupted.


    Jan, not daring to make another peep, directed his strides purposefully towards my family''s back


    door.


    A couple of minutester, Gemma also came out from the courtyard. She almost looked our way when


    the man barked another warning, "What are you looking at?"


    The man scurried back inside, shutting the door with a sense of urgency.


    I slumped to the ground, gasping for air, a silent prayer of thanks escaping my heart. That was close!


    Only then did Hannah rush over, pulling me to my feet. "It''s okay! We''re safe now!"


    When I looked again, the mysterious man was gone.


    "Was that Larkin?" I asked Hannah, still catching my breath.


    She nodded, her voiceced with joy, "Yes!"


    "Man, thank heavens for him! How did I not realize he was following us?" I patted my chest, in awe of


    our luck.


    Hannah nced at the back door and whispered, "We should go. We can''t use the back now."


    I agreed, "Right, we''ll have to circle around to the front. Larkin''s gone."


    She pointed toward the courtyard. Nodding, I thought that might be for the best. Then, pulling Hannah


    along, we quickly left the ce of danger.


    Soon enough, we were strolling through the main entrance as if nothing had happened, chatting


    merrily. As expected, I found my dad sitting in the living room, engaged in conversation with Jan. I


    feigned surprise, "Why are you guys still up?"


    Jan piped up first, his voice soft, "I tried lying down for a bit but couldn''t sleep, so I came back down.


    Galen was here too. Where did you two wander off to?"


    His probing gaze swept over me, and I could tell he was not pleased with ourte-night escapade.


    I silently rejoiced that Hannah and I had taken the long way home via the front entrance.


    "We bumped into an old friend from our childhood, Darius, and he dragged us to a bar for a bit!" I


    blurted out a casual lie, turning to my dad, "Remember Darius, Dad? Seems like he''s doing pretty well


    for himself!"


    My dad yed along perfectly, "How could I forget? Their family moved away years ago. Saw Darius a


    couple of times afterward. He got into trading, right? Haven''t seen him in ages!"


    "Yeah, that Darius!" I said, grabbing a ss from the table and downing a gulp of water. "Just can''t


    keep up like I used to. Are you guys going to chat all night? What time did Catherine leave?"


    With a rapid-fire change of subject, I sessfully redirected the conversation to Catherine.


    As expected, my dad took the bait and opened up like a floodgate.