Chapter 7 – Homecoming Terms
Alex moved back in the next morning.
Two duffel bags.
No Chloe.
He stood in the foyer like a guest who’d forgotten the layout.
I met him at the foot of the stairs.
No embrace.
No lecture.
Just the rules.
“You have the east wing guest suite. Meals with us or alone—your choice. No visitors without clearance. No company access yet.”
He nodded quickly.
Too quickly.
“I just want to prove I can change,” he said.
His voice carried the right amount of humility.
I studied his face.
The burns on his hands were still raw.
“Prove it,” I said.
I turned and walked away.
Behind me, Sophia gave him a small smile.
Welcome extended.
Trap set.
That afternoon, I had the study wired.
Hidden camera behind a bookshelf.
Microphone in the desk lamp.
Feed routed to my phone and a secure drive.
I didn’t watch live.
I reviewed clips at night.
Just in case.