The city was no longer the same.People were silent... eyes watching...But they were all whispering about one man: Edward.
He was the officer...The lover...The destroyer...The accused!
He entered his favorite restaurant amid hot breaths and unspoken murmurs.Sat at his usual table without raising his eyes,and ordered his usual meal.
Minutes later, the waiter came—but this time, he wasn't just carrying food...He had a red envelope.
He placed it on the table and said,"This is from the owner... directly to you."
Edward took it silently.Opened it. Inside:
An old photo of his father...A janitor at Alfred's company.
On the back of the photo, a message read:
"I'm not the only devil...Everyone around you is stained."
Then a second letter—This one held a picture of his younger brother... a simple police investigator.
And a final note:
"Go to this address... immediately."
📍 On the road...
Questions tore through his mind.What did his father have to do with this? Why his brother?What did Maya want from him this time?Was it revenge... or something worse?
He arrived at the address:
An almost-abandoned house, with a back entrance and a metal gate.
He stepped in. His footsteps echoed...The smell of smoke hit him before he even saw her.
And there she was—in the corner, just like the first time he saw her...
Maya.
Sitting on a metal chair, one leg crossed over the other,her cigarette burning between her fingers...Beautiful like a storm.
She looked at him, coldly:
"Little Vary is back again..."
She threw the cigarette to the ground,crushed it beneath her heel,then walked over and handed him another black envelope.
She whispered:
"Don't open it now."
Then she stepped closer, and closer—playfully wicked.Touched his forehead with the tip of her finger.
"Ooooh... poor Vary, you're sweating.My God, are you scared?"
She turned to one of her men:
"Bring him something cold...We don't want our little victim dying too early."
Finally, Edward spoke—his voice heavy with fatigue and frustration:
"Why are you still chasing me?Wasn't everything over yesterday?"
She smiled... her voice a whisper:
"No.Something new has begun... something worse.I swear... you'll lose your mind.You'll burn slowly—just like I did.Your heart will turn black...Only then will I know I've succeeded.I'll make you... a version of me."
She leaned in and whispered again:
"Didn't you call me a devil?Oh Edward...You haven't seen the devil yet."
But this time—he grabbed her hand tightly.His eyes flamed.
"If you want to destroy me...then why did you save me from the police chief?Why expose him for my sake?So I wouldn't be suspended?Why, Maya?"
She looked at him and smiled:
"Oh my Mouse...You're in no position to be asking questions."
She laughed—loud and wild—Then turned away and walked out, calling:
"How beautiful it is... when the roles reverse!"
📍 In the car...
Edward sat in the front seat,hands trembling, holding the new envelope.
Afraid.Tense.And curious.
He began to open it slowly...
His heart pounding like thunder.