Chapter 3 - The Echo in the Garage
The blinding red strobe lights painted the underground garage in an eerie, pulsing glow. Claire’s hands froze on the steering wheel as the audio from Vincent’s forgotten phone—left resting on the floor near the elevator—broadcasted Sophia Reynolds' sharp, panicked voice echoing off the concrete walls.
"Vincent! Pick up! Someone is breaking into my townhouse on Oak Street! They're downstairs—please, you have to come right now!"
The call abruptly disconnected with a sharp static click.
Claire sat in the driver's seat, her chest heaving as bitter realization washed over her. Even now, even while his own daughter lay burning with a 102-degree fever and his wife was walking out the door, Sophia’s emergency took precedence. Vincent’s entire life was anchored to a woman who demanded his protection while his own family bled in silence.
In the back seat, little Emma let out a soft moan, tossing restlessly against the leather upholstery. "Mommy... my head hurts so bad..." Emma whimpered, clutching her beige stuffed rabbit so tightly her small knuckles turned white.
"I know, baby, I know. We're getting out of here right now," Claire said, blinking back hot tears of fury. She slammed the gear shift into drive, revved the engine, and aimed her sedan directly toward the heavy iron security gate that blocked the garage exit.
If the gate wouldn't open electronically, she would ram it. She gripped the steering wheel, preparing to press the gas pedal to the floor.
Suddenly, the heavy metal door leading from the penthouse stairwell burst open. Vincent stepped into the garage, his tall, muscular frame silhouetted by the harsh light. His dark wavy hair was slightly disheveled, his fitted black shirt stretched across his broad shoulders, and his piercing blue-gray eyes scanned the garage instantly before locking onto Claire’s car.
Vincent sprinted forward, moving with terrifying speed. Before Claire could press the gas, Vincent reached the driver's side door, grabbing the handle and pulling it open with brute force.
"Claire, stop!" Vincent commanded, his deep voice carrying a tone of absolute authority mixed with raw desperation. "You can't leave the estate tonight. The perimeter sensors just picked up multiple armed units moving through the neighborhood. It's an ambush!"
Claire turned her head, her brown eyes blazing with cold, unyielding rage. She looked directly into his face, utterly unimpressed by his warnings.
"Let go of the door, Vincent," Claire said, her voice terrifyingly calm. "You want to play the hero? Go save Sophia. My daughter and I are done being your second choice."
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Vincent stared at her, stunned by the absolute steel in her tone. He reached inside the car to grab the keys from the ignition, but Claire lunged across the console, slapping his tattooed hand away with a sharp crack.
Before Vincent could react, a deafening explosion shattered the quiet night above them, blowing out the upper-level security windows of the garage and raining glass down all around the car.
