Broken Promises and Silent Hearts

18

the weight of the past three weeks pressed down on me. Elijah was slipping through our fingers, but Oliver and I were closer than ever to tracking him down. The tension between us crackled with unspoken words, reminders of a partnership forged in chaos. Crown sensed my secrets, his distance a constant reminder of the trust I was straining.

Every call I made felt like a gamble, every lead a risk. I couldn't shake the worry that my absence was taking a toll on my family. Crown always checked in, his concern palpable, but I knew he deserved more than vague reassurances.

My phone buzzed with a message from him, "Just make sure you're safe." It stung, the reminder that I was walking a tightrope. I took a deep breath, focusing on the mission. We were close—too close to back down now. Oliver was by my side, and despite the challenges, I felt a sense of purpose driving me forward. All I could do was hope that when this was over, I could finally explain everything to Crown.

The twins called every day, checking in to make sure I was okay. They were back at the house with Crown and Keke, and as December approached, I felt the weight of missing Thanksgiving—they weren't too happy about that, and neither was Crown. When I tried to call him, he declined, claiming to be busy, but I could see him on the porch camera; he was just avoiding me.

"You okay? You seem a bit distracted. This isn't like you," Oliver said, sitting beside me.

"I'm okay," I replied, but just then, I heard the beep on my computer, and the camera feed showed two men in black approaching the house with guns.

"Elijah's men are here to kill us."

Panic surged through me as I leaped to my feet, adrenaline flooding my system. "Oliver, we need to move now," I said, my voice low but urgent.

He nodded, already reaching for his weapon. "We can't let them get inside. Do you have a plan?"

I quickly scanned the room, my mind racing. "We'll secure the exits first and then call for backup. We can't let them know we're onto them."

As we moved toward the back door, I grabbed my duffel bag and slung it over my shoulder. "Let's get to the garage; we might have a chance to intercept them before they reach the others."

We slipped out the back, staying low as we approached the garage. My heart raced; I thought of the twins and Crown. If they got inside...

I peeked around the corner and saw the men fanning out, weapons drawn. "We need to take them out silently," I whispered.

Oliver nodded, his eyes focused and determined. "On my mark."

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. This wasn't just a mission anymore—it was about protecting my family.

    

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Crown heart sank as he heard Shar's voice tremble. "What do you want, Shar?" But all he got in return was silence. Tears glistened in her eyes before she hung up, leaving him desperate for answers. Shar was never one to cry; she was strong, independent.

"Juan, I'm heading out for a couple of hours," he heard her say, trying to shake off the weight in his chest.

"Okay, we're taking Keke to get some ice cream," he replied, forcing a smile.

"Call me if there's a problem," she said, and he nodded, but unease settled in his gut as he drove to work.

In Steven's office, he approached with urgency.

"Crown, what you doing down here?" Steven asked, fist-bumping him casually.

"I need a favor—find out what you can on Shar Woods."

"Sure thing."

Moments later, Steven's expression shifted. "Damn, bro. Who is this person? Everything about her is coded. I've never seen anything like this."

"What do you mean coded?" Crown.

"It means she's a secret agent on active duty. Shit. I'm locked out; sorry, bro, this is all I can do."

"Thanks, I owe you one," I said, as my  mind reeling. A secret agent? Why hadn't she trusted him with this?

I drove home, feeling a mix of betrayal and hurt. In Shar's room, I began to search, every glance around the familiar space tinged with confusion. In the closet, a box tumbled out as I rifled through her clothes. Inside was a flash drive with my  name on it.

Plugging it into her office computer, I braced himself. As files opened, revealing layers of her life—missions, contacts, risks—I felt the ache of her secrets cut deeper. Why hadn't she shared this with me? The ultimate revelation about her life felt like a betrayal, and I had to confront her. The trust they had built now hung in the balance, and I was left questioning everything I thought I knew about the woman I loved.

       

                                  💫💫💫💫

""Oliver, we have to do this quick and fast, you know that, right?" I strapped on my bulletproof jacket and grabbed my bags, settling into the driver's seat as I waited for him. Once he climbed in, I peeled away toward Elijah's location, my mind racing. It was a good thing Harper still wore the necklace I told her never to take off; the tracking device would lead us straight to her.

As we drove down the highway, I noticed a car tailing us. A sense of unease washed over me. I glanced at Oliver, who seemed distracted, his fingers flying over his phone. I couldn't shake the feeling that Elijah's men were always one step ahead.

Trying to stay calm, I hacked into Oliver's phone, my heart sinking as I saw he was texting a number. Betrayal twisted in my gut; my partner was in on this all along.

"I'm starving. Stop by the diner here," I said, forcing a casual tone.

"Need anything?" he asked, oblivious.

I shook my head, feeling the weight of his betrayal loom over us. Time was running out, and I had to figure out my next move.

"No I'm good", I watch as he head out to the dinner seeing the cars pulled up I walked towards the gas station going around the back taking out my knife I waited as one of them step towards kicking the gun from his hand I stab him in the chest pulling inside the bathroom and standing on his body I punched him in the face knocking him out heading foot steps approaching I peeked seeing Oliver I stepped out he pointed his gun at me.

"Oliver you scared", he looked behind me

"I saw Elijah men following  you so I rushed out", he walked over towards the body I pushed his head into the toilet he tried to fight me off but I was stronger .

"Shar", he breathe out I put his head back down in the toilet.

"I trusted you  Oliver and your behinds this", I pulled his head back he pushed me back loosing his balance I took out my knife cutting his stomach deeply causing him to choke up blood washing my hands I knife I walked out.