Chapter 112: The Calm Before The Storm

Chapter 112: The Calm Before the Storm

The drive back was quiet. Too quiet.

Sitting at the passenger seat, she pressed her thigh lightly as Riot drove through the darkened streets.

The city lights flickered past in a blur, but she barely saw them.

She was still thinking about that interrogation room, replaying every word, every moment.

Riot finally broke the silence. "So, what now?"

Diane exhaled slowly. "Now we wait."

Riot smirked. "You? Waiting? That doesn’t sound like you."

Diane shot him a sideways glance.

"I don’t have a choice. The police have everything they need. It’s out of my hands now."

Riot hummed, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel.

"Yeah, but we both know Adrian’s like a damn cockroach. Just when you think he’s dead, he crawls out from under the floorboards."

Diane clenched her jaw. "Not this time."

Riot glanced at her. "You sure about that?"

Diane didn’t answer. Because no, she wasn’t sure.

Adrian had slipped through the cracks too many times.

He had a way of surviving things no normal man should. But this? This was different.

She had set the fire. Now all she could do was watch it burn.

The car pulled up outside her house, the engine humming before shutting off. Riot didn’t move to leave, just sat there watching her.

"You good?" he asked finally.

Diane hesitated before nodding. "Yeah."

Riot didn’t believe her, but he let it slide. "Alright. You want me to stick around?"

Diane smirked. "Worried about me?"

Riot leaned back, grinning. "More like worried about whoever tries to mess with you next."

Diane shook her head. "Go home, Riot."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. But if you need me—"

"I know," Diane said softly. "I’ll call."

She stepped out of the car, the night air crisp against her skin. She heard Riot pull away, the sound of his car fading into the distance.

And then she was alone.

Or at least, she thought she was.

Inside the House

Diane locked the door behind her, kicking off her heels as she walked through the hallway. Everything was exactly as she had left it.

But something felt... off.

She couldn’t explain it. The air was too still. The house felt too quiet, even for this time of night.

Her pulse quickened.

She reached for the light switch—

And then—

BANG.

A loud thud from upstairs.

Diane froze.

Her hand hovered over the switch, her breath caught in her throat.

She wasn’t alone.

Slowly, she reached for the knife she kept in the drawer by the entryway.

Footsteps.

Soft. Measured. Someone was here.

She moved silently, stepping toward the stairs, her grip on the knife tightening.

Another creak from above.

Diane’s pulse pounded as she took the first step.

Then the second.

She made it halfway up before—

The bedroom door creaked open.

Diane’s heart nearly stopped.

She took another step, her breath shallow.

And then—

A shadow moved.

She reacted instantly, gripping the knife tighter, ready to strike—

But then—

"Diane."

Her blood ran cold.

She knew that voice.

That smirk hidden behind the syllables.

The shadow stepped into the light.

And there he was, standing as if nothing ever happened...

Smirking. Watching her like he had all the time in the world.

Diane’s grip on the knife tightened. "You have some nerve."

Adrian chuckled, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "You say that like you’re surprised to see me."

Diane didn’t move. Didn’t blink. "I put you behind bars."

Adrian’s grin widened. "You tried."

Diane’s mind raced. How? The police had him. He was supposed to be locked up.

Adrian tilted his head. "You really thought it would be that easy?"

Diane forced herself to breathe evenly. "You broke out?"

He smirked. "Not exactly."

Diane exhaled sharply. "Then how?"

Adrian stepped closer. Not enough to be a threat—yet—but close enough that she could see the amusement in his eyes.

"Let’s just say," he murmured, "that when you’ve made the right friends, prison is more of a formality than a punishment."

Diane’s stomach was raging with lava from the inside.

He had help.

Someone had gotten him out. Someone powerful.

Adrian smiled like he could read her mind. "Now you’re getting it."

Diane’s jaw tightened. "What do you want?"

Adrian sighed dramatically. "Come on, Diane. After everything we’ve been through, is that really how you greet me?"

Diane didn’t flinch. "You shouldn’t be here."

Adrian tsked. "And yet, here I am."

Her grip on the knife didn’t waver. "You’re not walking out of here."

Adrian smirked. "No? Then what are you going to do? Kill me?"

Diane didn’t answer.

Adrian chuckled. "You won’t."

Diane’s jaw clenched. "You don’t know that."

Adrian stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Oh, but I do."

Diane’s heart pounded.

Then—

His phone buzzed.

Adrian sighed, pulling it from his pocket. He glanced at the screen, his smirk widening.

"Looks like I have to cut this reunion short."

Diane didn’t move. "You’re not leaving."

Adrian chuckled. "You’re not stopping me."

He turned, walking toward the window.

Diane lunged.

But—

He was faster.

With a quick move, he dodged, stepping onto the windowsill. "Until next time, rabbit."

And then—

He was gone.

Diane rushed to the window, but he had already disappeared into the night.

Her heart pounded, her breathing was too unstable.

Adrian Ravenhood was free.

And now, she had no idea what he would do next.

Diane’s hands were shaking.

She barely registered the knife slipping from her grip, clattering against the hardwood floor as she stood in the middle of the bedroom, staring at the open window.

The curtains swayed slightly from Adrian’s escape,

He was here.

In her house.

And she let him get away.

Her pulse pounded in her ears as she fumbled for her phone, her fingers barely working as she swiped to Gabriel’s contact.

She pressed call and lifted the phone to her ear, pacing as it rang.

One ring.

Two.

Three.

Then—

"Diane?"

The relief of hearing his voice was instant, but it did nothing to steady her racing heart.

"Gabriel." Her voice came out sharper than she expected, her breath still uneven.

Gabriel picked up on it immediately. "What’s wrong?"

Diane swallowed, forcing herself to speak. "Adrian was here."

Silence.

Then—

"What?" Gabriel’s tone dropped, deadly.

Diane pressed a hand to her temple, squeezing her eyes shut. "He was here. Inside my house. He got out, Gabriel."

Gabriel cursed under his breath, and she could hear rustling in the background—keys, movement, the scrape of a chair.

"I’m coming."

"Gabriel, he—he wasn’t even worried. He just stood there, smirking, like he already won."

Gabriel’s voice was sharper now. "Lock the doors. Stay inside. I’m on my way."

Diane ran a hand through her hair, frustration and fear twisting inside her. "How did he get out?"

Gabriel’s voice was tight, controlled rage barely restrained. "I don’t know. But I’m going to find out."

Diane exhaled slowly, gripping the phone tighter. "Hurry."

"I will."

Then the line went dead.

Diane stood there for a moment, gripping her arms as she stared at the empty room.

Gabriel was coming.

But something told her Adrian wasn’t done playing his game yet.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read