"I really hope everything unfolds as we planned," Charlie said, his voice tinged with concern. "I won't forgive myself if I ever put you in danger, Arabella." He added, guiding me toward his apartment with a protective air.
Unbeknownst to him, Luke stood quietly beside me in his incognito mode, ready to support me if needed. Vanilla and Emma were there too, providing a sense of camaraderie that bolstered my courage, even if their ability to help was limited.
Except for Luke, of course.
"No need to worry. Things look promising so far," I replied, taking in the pristine condition of his apartment. It was a stark contrast to mine—brand new and well-kept. "How long have you all been living here?"
"About five years," Charlie replied, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "My parents separated a
