Chapter 24 Mia
December 29
A drian’s phone alarm blares through the silence at exactly three in the morning, dragging me from a restless, half-sleep. My heart pounds as I sit up, feeling the weight of what’s about to happen. Adrian reaches over to silence the alarm, then looks at me with those intense, ocean blue eyes, reaching out his hand as if to steady me.
“Are you ready for this?” he asks, his voice low but resolute.
“As I’ll ever be,” I reply, fighting to keep my voice steady. I pull on my hoodie and yoga pants, lace up my boots, and head to the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face and brush my teeth. This is it—the moment Mia Vitale ceases to exist. I look at myself in the mirror, trying to memorize the woman staring back. Today, I leave her behind.
When I emerge from the bathroom, I hear Adrian greeting someone outside. By the time I step into the living room, Adrian is holding the door open for an older man with a reserved but kind expression. His silver hair and tired eyes suggest he’s seen too much of the world, but he greets me with a warm smile.
“Edmund, I’d like you to meet Mia,” Adrian says, stepping aside to let me take in the man who’s about to help us disappear.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mia,” Edmund says, his voice soft and sympathetic. “I’m just sorry it has to be under these circumstances.”
“Me, too,” I reply, managing a slight smile in return. My eyes drift to the van outside, the rear panels open and I can just make out the shapes of two body bags in the back. My stomach churns. Who are they? Will someone miss them?
Edmund must sense my concern. He nods slightly, as if reassuring me. “You don’t have to worry, Mia. Unfortunately, there are many cases where bodies go unclaimed. I know exactly how to handle the records, and in these cases, no one will notice they're gone.”
Relief mingles with a strange sadness at his words. It’s a reminder of how fragile and forgotten some lives can be. I nod, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling. Adrian steps in between us, his face unreadable.
“If you’d rather not see them,” he says, studying my face, “you don’t have to be here for this part.”
“It’s okay,” I tell him. “They’re just… bodies.” I say it more to convince myself than anyone else, but Adrian gives me a slight nod, accepting my choice.
“Let’s bring them inside into the bedroom,” Adrian says, motioning to Edmund.
They move to the van, rolling out a gurney with one of the body bags strapped securely on top. Its wheels crunch over the packed snow as they maneuver it up the steps and into the cabin. I watch as they roll the gurney into the bedroom, collapse the supports so it lowers down to the ground, unzip the bag to transfer the corpse onto the floor. I have to turn my head away at this stage. After they do the same with the second body, they take the gurney with the empty body bags back to the van, loading the items in the back. All of this is done with quiet efficiency.
“Did you bring everything else I asked for?” Adrian says, glancing at Edmund while washing his hands at the kitchen sink.
“Of course,” Edmund replies, retrieving a cardboard box he brought inside with him earlier. Inside are wires, small containers, and other tools Adrian requested. He also hands over a thick envelope, which Adrian opens to double-check the documents: birth certificates, social security cards, driver’s licenses, and passports. His eyes scan over each item, ensuring every detail is correct.
Satisfied, he tucks the documents back into the envelope and nods to Edmund. “Perfect. Now, take this,” Adrian says, passing a red tin can to him. “Pour it along the inside perimeter of the cabin. We’re leaving all the supplies here when we’re done.”
Edmund nods, unscrewing the top of the lighter fluid and beginning his work. The sharp, pungent odor fills the room as he makes his way around, dousing the walls, furniture, and every inch of the interior. Meanwhile, Adrian sits at the coffee table, assembling the bomb with meticulous care. I can see the concentration in his face as he measures, wraps wires, and sets the timer with steady hands.
When Edmund finishes, he washes his hands at the sink before coming over to stand by me as we both watch Adrian work. It’s a strange tableau—the three of us, quiet and focused, preparing to erase everything. Adrian finally looks up, meeting my eyes, then Edmund’s. For the first time tonight, he looks satisfied, like everything is finally falling into place.
“It’s ready,” Adrian announces. He places the explosive carefully on the coffee table, the burner phone attached to the device like some lifeline to our freedom. Then he stands, gathers his duffel bag and turns to Edmund.
“I’ve wired the funds,” Adrian says, his voice steady and final. “You’ll find the transfer in your account.”
Edmund nods, his expression betraying nothing but quiet respect. “Understood. And if you need anything else, well… let’s hope you don’t,” he adds with a dry chuckle.
Adrian gives him a firm handshake, a look of gratitude passing between them. Then Edmund turns to me, and I extend my hand as well. “Thank you, Edmund,” I say, feeling the weight of his help.
“You’re welcome, Mia,” he replies, a touch of warmth in his voice. “Good luck to you both. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
With that, he steps out, and Adrian gives the cabin one last look. I join him, feeling a mix of relief, fear, and an odd sense of finality. I take a deep breath, letting the scent of lighter fluid and charred memories sink into me one last time.
“It’s time to start over,” Adrian says, taking my hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Shall we go?”
I nod and follow him out, sliding into the back passenger seat of the van as Edmund starts the engine. We drive down the mountain in silence, the tires crunching over fresh snow, and as we descend further, Adrian glances back over his shoulder, the cabin still visible in the distance. When we’re several miles down the road, and the cabin is a small speck far behind us, Adrian picks up the burner phone Edmund left him.
He holds my gaze for a brief moment, his eyes searching mine for any last hesitation. I give him a nod, feeling my heart hammer in my chest, and he dials.
A moment later, a flash lights up the sky behind us, a thunderous explosion echoing through the mountains. I jump, my instincts telling me to duck. Adrian glances in the rearview mirror, and I do the same, watching the faint glow on the mountaintop as flames consume what’s left of the cabin.
There’s no turning back. Mia Vitale and Adrian Luciana are gone, and in their place… two people with no past, only a future.
As we drive away, the adrenaline fades, leaving a surreal calm behind. We finally reach the spot where our getaway car is parked, a nondescript sedan that could belong to anyone. Edmund hands Adrian the keys, and they exchange one last handshake.
“This is where we part ways,” Edmund says quietly. “Your new lives begin now.”
Adrian gives him a nod, his hand lingering on Edmund’s shoulder for a moment. “Take care of yourself.”
“You too, Adrian. Mia,” he adds, giving me a brief, solemn smile.
I offer him a small smile. Edmund gets back into the van and drives off, leaving us alone on the deserted road.
As we start the engine of the sedan, Adrian turns on the radio, tuning it to the local news. The faintest light of dawn creeps over the horizon, painting the sky in muted shades of pink and gray. We don’t say much during the ride away from Winter Haven.
About twenty minutes later, a local news update is announced by the local radio DJ.
“There’s a breaking news report that was released by local authorities a few minutes ago. An explosion has been reported about fifteen miles outside of the Winter Haven resort area early this morning,” one of the anchors says, her voice calm but grave. “Firefighters have been on the scene for quite a while, monitoring the situation, making sure the fire doesn’t extend past the building structure. Unfortunately, initial reports suggest the cabin that was found on fire was completely engulfed. It’s not looking good that anything can be saved. Police have confirmed a vehicle was parked in the driveway, indicating possible occupants, but further investigation is pending. Forensics teams will need time to sift through the scene once the flames are fully extinguished.”
Adrian gives my hand a reassuring squeeze, his eyes trained on the road. “The method was crude enough to look like a hit, maybe even a third party trying to send a message to both families. They’ll assume it was someone trying to strike at both the Luciana’s and the Vitales.”
I nod, feeling the final weight of my old life slipping away. It’s a good feeling.
As the morning dawn starts to emerge as we head out further east along the open road, I find myself staring out the window, memorizing every tree, every mountain peak, every stretch of snow as if I could capture it in my mind forever. I’m not sure if I’ll miss this place, but a part of me feels a strange sense of loss.
But I’m not alone. I turn to Adrian, who takes my hand, bringing it to his lips in a soft kiss.
“We did it,” he murmurs, his voice filled with quiet triumph. “Whatever happens now, we’re free.”
I smile at his handsome face, feeling a rush of love warm me from the inside out.
“We’re free.”
I lean into him, feeling the warmth of his touch seep into my bones. Whatever lies ahead, I know I have everything I need right here next to me.