4
The morning after the chaotic night search arrived with a heaviness that settled over the entire villa. Dawn bled into the sky slowly, staining the clouds with muted shades of orange that felt too gentle—too peaceful—for the storm raging inside Adrian and Elena's hearts. Neither of them had slept. They sat in the living room with cold cups of coffee untouched on the glass center table, waiting for a call, a clue, anything.
Around 6:45 a.m., the shrill ring of the villa's main doorbell shattered the silence.
Elena jumped. "Adrian… someone's here."
Adrian immediately moved toward the front door, every muscle coiled with alertness. Elena followed closely behind him, heart pounding so loudly she could feel it in her throat.
He pulled the door open.
No one stood there.
Just a small white envelope lying neatly on the welcome mat.
Elena's breath hitched. "Oh my God…"
