"Why not get married?"

“What happened? Who's the man not stepping up to his duty?”

"Who's been giving you trouble? We'll handle him."

The elders bombarded her with questions, each one adding to Lilah's headache.

“I can't spill all the details now. Let's leave it be. Are you hungry? Let's eat some food." Lilah's nerves steadied, her mind clearing. “Just remember to follow my lead. Keep it low-key. If that guy catches you again, we may not be so lucky."

The elders exchanged glances, an unusual silence falling between them.

Lilah booked them into a high-security hotel and arranged for them to stay there for the time being.

She grappled with whether to inform Gerard about their presence.

After all, they were remnants of her past she wasn't sure he was ready to confront.

“Where are you, Lilah?" A message from Gerard dropped on her phone.

Lilah quickly replied, “On my way home."

A flicker of worry gnawed at her. She feared he might sense something awry.

Returning home, she found Gerard lounging comfortably on the couch, dressed casually and waiting for her.

Approaching him, Lilah settled beside Gerard. “Any luck finding Darian?"

Gerard let out a frustrated breath. "That bastard always manages to slip away.”

As Lilah reflected on the day's events, Gerard caught her troubled expression. “What's bothering you? Did he bother you?"

“He's lurking in the shadows while we're out in the open. It's unsettling. We can't keep our guard up every second,” Lilah said, her forehead creased with worry. “It's like there's a snake watching us from the dark."

"What do you mean?" Gerard pulled her closer, concern etched on his face.

“Why don't we set a trap and try to catch him?" Lilah suggested tentatively.

"No. It's too risky," Gerard replied firmly, shaking his head. "We can't take that chance."

An uncomfortable silence settled between them. “Are you keeping something from me?" Gerard asked suddenly.

He fixed his gaze on her, his eyes sharp and searching.

Lilah felt the weight of her secret pressing down on her.

But she hesitated, unsure whether to bare her soul to him.