LOVE IN THE SHADOWS

ctim on her phone. Each photo blurred together in her mind, but one detail stood out: the woman's striki

beside her, his voice barely abov

, her heart heavy. "Sh

turning to her, concern

I can't shake the feeling that these women hav

pressed, his inten

her thoughts. A spark of guilt flickered inside he

started, but s

er voice firm but trembling

cted in a way we can't explain?" Ale

r gaze. "I need to focus on this c

n his eyes. "Alright,

milar features-long hair, a certain curve of the jaw-but it was more than that. The way they carried themselves, the way the

see him entering the room. He was still in his paramedic uniform, a little rump

t warmed. "Yo

eyes brightening at the sight of her. "How's the ca

orcing a smile. "Another victim, an

ing her. "You've been working too hard, R

, but the guilt over her kiss with Alex was a constant shadow in her mind.

r, his touch sending shivers down her spine.

achel leaned in closer, feeling the warmth radiate from

owed herself to forget the darkness for just a moment. The weigh

r playdate?" Ethan asked, breaking thei

er heart swelling with love

reeping back in. She glanced at the files again, the faces of the victims

er face as she found their daughter, Lily, drawing at

rainbow of colors swirling togeth

ion shining in her eyes. "It's b

er dinner?" Lily asked, he

g her fingers through Lily's hair. "Y

uealed, bounci

rin on his face. "Did I hear

loping her. In that moment, she felt whole. The darkness outside

se. She couldn't shake the nagging feeling that the Veil was watc

ssage from an anonymous number: "Look closely at your refl

twisting. "Ethan, Alex, come here!

oncern etched on their faces

said, her hands shaking sligh

om?" Alex as

onymous number," Rachel r

his expression darkeni

x said, looking up sh

e. "What does it mean? What does my r

gure it out fast," Ethan said, d

l hands clutching her drawing. "Wha

smile. "Nothing, sweetheart

nse of dread washed over her. The Veil was getting closer