VANESSA POV

I sat in the living room, my fingers trembling uncontrollably in my lap.

I didn’t know why.

Maybe because Kay wasn’t beside me…

Or maybe because I was surrounded by people I no longer trusted.

Fake smiles. Hidden intentions.

And a stranger sitting right in front of me.

“Miss Mullerová, there’s no need to be nervous,” the officer said gently, his tone calm and reassuring.

If only he knew.

If only he knew how many snakes were sitting in this room with me.

“I’m just going to show you a few pictures and ask some questions, alright?”

I nodded slowly, my fingers twisting together as I tried to look fragile.

Helpless.

Convincing.

The officer gave me a small smile before opening his folder.

“I’ll keep this simple,” he continued. “And if at any point you feel overwhelmed, we can stop.”

I nodded again, lowering my gaze.

Inside…

I was anything but overwhelmed.

I was alert.

Watching.

Calculating.

He pulled out the first photograph and placed it carefully on the table in front of me.

“This is the scene of the accident.”

I forced myself to look.

A destroyed car.

Metal crushed beyond recognition.

Glass scattered across the road like broken ice.

For a split second, my chest tightened—

but I quickly masked it, letting confusion replace any real emotion.

“I… don’t remember this,” I whispered.

That wasn’t entirely a lie.

“Take your time,” he said softly. “Do you recognize the car?”

I hesitated just enough to make it believable… then shook my head.

“No…”

Another photo slid in front of me.

Closer this time.

The front of the car—completely wrecked.

“Do you remember where you were going that night?”

I lowered my gaze, letting my fingers tighten.

“No… I’m sorry.”

“That’s alright,” he reassured me quickly. “Memory loss after trauma like this is common.”

Of course it is.

He pulled out another photograph.

And this one—

This one made my stomach drop.

A blurred road.

Dark.

Empty.

Except for headlights in the distance.

Too bright.

Too close.

“This was taken from a nearby traffic camera,” he explained. “Moments before the crash.”

I stared a second too long.

Headlights.

Blinding.

Rushing toward me.

I blinked and quickly looked away.

“It’s… blurry,” I said quietly. “I can’t really see anything.”

The officer nodded, though I could feel his eyes lingering on me.

Watching.

“Do you remember if you were alone in the car?”

My heart skipped.

“I… I don’t know,” I murmured.

“Do you remember hearing anything?” he continued. “Voices? A phone call? Someone arguing?”

Careful.

Very careful.

“I think…” I hesitated, letting my voice shake. “Maybe… arguing?”

His expression sharpened.

“Between who?”

I shook my head quickly.

“I don’t know… everything gets blurry when I try to remember.”

Not a lie.

Just not the truth.

He studied me for a moment before nodding.

Then he placed another photo in front of me.

And this time—

I almost reacted.

A close-up of the driver’s side.

The door.

Scratched.

Not from impact.

From force.

I immediately looked down, pretending it was too much.

“Miss Mullerová?” he asked gently. “Are you alright?”

I swallowed hard.

“Yes… it’s just… overwhelming.”

Which wasn’t entirely a lie.

“Of course,” he said. “We’ll slow down.”

Then his voice softened even more.

“Do you remember anyone who might want to harm you?”

The question hung in the air.

Heavy.

Dangerous.

My mind flashed instantly—

Jake.

Emily.

But I lowered my gaze, playing my role perfectly.

“No…” I whispered.

He nodded slowly.

But I could tell—

He didn’t believe me.

“Last question,” he said. “Before the accident… did anything unusual happen that day?”

I hesitated.

Just enough.

Then shook my head.

“I don’t remember.”

Silence settled between us.

But inside my mind—

Everything was loud.

Because the more I saw…

The clearer it became.

This wasn’t an accident.

And someone in this house…

Knew exactly what happened.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed Jake and Emily watching me.

Curiosity.

Tension.

And something dangerously close to panic.

“Alright, Miss Vanessa, that’s all for now,” the officer said, closing his folder.

He stood and extended his hand.

I forced myself to stand as well, placing my hand in his.

“And if you remember anything… give me a call.”

He handed me a small card.

“Yes, officer,” I said quietly, taking it.

Just then—

Kay walked into the living room.

And the moment I saw him…

Relief washed over me.

Sudden.

Unexpected.

Since when did he become my comfort?

I quickly shook the thought away as I released the officer’s hand.

But my fingers were still trembling.

Even if I knew the truth…

Even if I was prepared…

It was still overwhelming.

Kay’s eyes immediately landed on me.

On my hands.

On the way they shook.

Something in his expression darkened instantly.

He walked straight toward me and without hesitation wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me firmly against his side.

“Are you already leaving, officer?” he asked, his tone calm—but I could feel the tension beneath it.

“Yes, I’m done here for now,” the officer replied before leaving without another word.

The door closed.

Silence followed.

“Are you okay?” Kay asked, his voice softer now, his eyes searching my face.

“I think so,” I murmured.

His brows furrowed.

“You must feel overwhelmed after all those questions.”

Before I could respond—

He lifted me.

Suddenly.

Effortlessly.

Into his arms.

Heat rushed to my face instantly.

“K—Jake, I can walk,” I said quickly, almost slipping.

I almost called him Kay.

“Wrap your arms around me,” he said firmly. “I won’t drop you.”

I let out a small sigh, my cheeks burning as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

But then—

A shiver ran down my spine.

Jake.

Standing there.

Watching us.

His eyes filled with something dark.

Something sharp.

Rage.

Jealousy.

Fear tightened in my chest.

Without thinking, I buried my face into Kay’s neck as he carried me away from them.

Away from their eyes.

“Why didn’t you wake me when the officer came?” Kay asked as he carried me toward the bedroom.

“You looked tired yesterday,” I said softly. “I wanted you to rest.”

And that part was true.

He looked exhausted.

Tense.

Upset.

And for a moment…

I just wanted distance.

From Jake.

From Emily.

From everything.

“Jake…” I started quietly, my voice uncertain.

I wanted to call him Kay.

So badly.

But that would mean telling him the truth.

And I wasn’t ready for that.

“Yes, sweetheart?” he asked.

The pet name made something in my chest flutter unexpectedly.

“I… can we go out?” I asked softly. “Alone… without kay and Emily?”

He gently placed me on the edge of the bed, his eyes scanning my face like he was deciding something.

Like he was making sure I was okay.

“I suppose it would be good for you,” he said after a moment. “We can go out this afternoon.”

A small smile formed on my lips.

And for the first time since the accident…

I felt like I could breathe.