Walking home from preschool holding Elena’s hand.
Another.
Celebrating his sixth birthday.
Another.
Sleeping beside the window inside this very house.
The dates stretched back almost ten months.
Someone had been watching his son…
…without making a move.
Why?
Then Alessandro reached the final photograph.
His heartbeat stopped.
The picture had been taken only three days earlier.
Emma stood beside Mateo outside the neighborhood bakery.
Both children were laughing.
Across the street…
…Vincent sat inside a parked sedan.
Watching them.
Alessandro slowly lowered the phone.
« They know where we are. »
Elena looked at him.
« They’ve always known. »
He nodded.
« They never lost you. »
« They were waiting. »
« For what? »
He answered without hesitation.
« For me. »
A loud knock echoed through the house.
Everyone froze.
Three slow knocks.
Exactly the same pattern as before.
Rosa’s face turned pale.
« Please tell me that’s the police. »
Alessandro was already moving.
