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Chapter 50
POV Gabriel
Lauren had managed to calm down and had gone back to her room, still shaken.
The word kept echoing in my head.
The beginning.
I had never seen Lauren that terrified before.
Not angry.
Terrified.
I had the feeling she hadn't told me everything… and that it wasn't the same enemy both of us feared.
I had done my own investigation, but nothing revealed what she had told me.
The conversation kept replaying in my mind.
Then I returned to Avery's room.
Empty.
The window was open.
A cool breeze drifted through the room.
I looked up.
The roof.
Of course.
She was sitting at the edge, her knees pulled against her chest.
Silent.
Motionless.
But it wasn't calm.
It was cracking apart.
I sat down beside her without saying a word.
She didn't look at me.
"She won't say anything," she whispered.
It wasn't a question.
I took a second.
"No."
A short laugh escaped her.
"She thinks she's protecting me."
The wind lifted a strand of her hair.
"She said 'again.' Did you hear it?"
Yes.
I had heard it.
"She already lost someone."
"My father," she said, pain heavy in her voice.
I turned to look at her.
"What was he like?"
"I thought you were a friend of the family."
"Of your mother's only.
I barely knew your father… not enough to say we were close."
She stayed silent for a moment after my answer.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
As if something had just brushed against her mind.
"What is it?" I asked.
She looked away toward the horizon.
"No… nothing."
I could feel she was holding something back.
But I didn't push.
The wind passed between us, cold and calm.
Then she took a slow breath and started talking about him with an unexpected softness.
As though simply saying his name brought light back into her memories.
"My father… he was someone incredible."
Her eyes were shining now.
Not with sadness.
With pride.
"He was never too busy for me. Even when he had work… he always made time."
I listened without speaking.
There was no doubt in her voice.
No fracture.
Only untouched admiration.
The wind swept across the roof again, cold and discreet.
"He always said buildings tell stories. That every wall keeps a memory."
A faint smile stretched across her lips.
"When I was little, he used to draw houses with me. He said I had 'the eye' for it."
She gave a slight shrug.
"That's how I started drawing."
I watched her from the corner of my eye.
Every word she spoke seemed to repair something inside her.
"He was… how do I put it…"
She searched for her words.
"He was solid."
She tapped her finger lightly against the roof.
"Like this house."
Then her voice grew quieter.
"When he walked into a room, everything felt okay."
A silence settled between us.
Then she added, almost under her breath:
"I don't think I ever saw anyone scare him."
Silence fell again between us.
Then Avery whispered:
"The night before he died…"
I straightened slightly.
"He came into my room."
Her voice barely trembled.
"He told me that no matter what happened… I should always trust my instincts."
I frowned as well.
"As if he sensed something…"
She breathed in softly, tears gathering in her eyes.
"Even when the car skidded…
he just held my hand."
"Avery…" I said, trying to comfort her.
She shook her head lightly.
"So basically… my father was an incredible architect.
A friend.
A confidant.
An amazing father figure."
She lowered her eyes to her hands.
Then she suddenly stood up.
Her foot slipped slightly on the damp tiles.
I caught her by reflex.
"You okay?"
"Yeah… thanks."
Then my gaze fell to her wrist.
And my stomach tightened.
How had I not noticed it immediately?
During her breakdown… I had felt something.
That sensation.
As if someone was watching us.
Not a visible presence.
Not an attack.
A trace.
The same sensation as in the living room.
Like the air after a storm.
Something had been there.
And seeing her wrist, I realized it might not have been just a simple warning.
Avery noticed my expression.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Uh… what?" I asked, startled.
She frowned slightly.
"You're acting weird. You look…"
"Exhausted," I cut in. "Must be the fatigue."
I immediately pulled myself together.
"How about we head back inside?"
"I was planning to, actually, but…"
Her gaze dropped to my hand, which was still holding her.
"Sorry."
I let go of her immediately.
We left the roof and went back into her room.
As soon as we stepped inside, I headed for the door.
But she stopped me.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked again.
I smiled at her as I opened the door.
"Yeah."
Then I left to go find Will.