Chapter 20 - The Light Behind the WindowLate that night, Khloe stood beside the nursery window.
Her son slept peacefully.
Marcus stood behind her.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then Khloe noticed something outside.
A small red light blinked near the distant security gate.
Once.
Twice.
Then disappeared.
Her smile faded.
“Marcus…”
He turned.
“What is it?”
She pointed toward the darkness.
Marcus stared.
The light was gone.
Arthur entered the room moments later.
“Everything all right?”
Khloe nodded slowly.
“I thought I saw something.”
Arthur looked toward the window.
Nothing moved.
Perhaps it had been a security sensor.
Perhaps it had been a passing vehicle.
Perhaps it was nothing at all.
Marcus kissed Khloe's temple.
“It's over.”
Khloe looked at her sleeping son.
Then at the dark horizon beyond the glass.
She smiled.
“I know.”
But somewhere beyond the estate, a phone screen briefly illuminated the darkness.
A message appeared:
THE THORNES THINK IT'S OVER.
A second message followed.
THEY'RE WRONG.
The screen went black.
Inside the nursery, Khloe held her baby closer.
The family had survived the nightmare.
They had found justice.
They had found love.
They had found a future.
But sometimes, the darkest chapters don't end with a slammed door.
Sometimes…
May you like
they end with a question.
Who was watching from the shadows?
