CHAPTER 5 – The Eyes That Knew
The café door creaked open.
Mila turned instinctively — and everything inside her stilled.
Standing in the doorway was a woman. Mid-40s. Regal posture. Sharp eyes that flicked between Mila… and Zayn.
Her face went pale.
"You…" the woman breathed.
Zayn stood slowly, his chair barely making a sound. "Mrs. Calhoun."
Mila looked between them. "You two know each other?"
The woman ignored her. Her gaze was locked on Zayn, her voice trembling between anger and disbelief.
"You were supposed to disappear. You promised to stay away."
Zayn's jaw tightened. "Things changed."
Mrs. Calhoun stepped forward, her heels clicking like accusations. "Not enough to justify this."
Mila rose, protective instincts kicking in. "Excuse me, but who are you?"
The woman turned to her, her eyes cold. "I'm the reason he kept the truth from you."
Zayn's voice was low, almost warning. "Stop."
"No," she snapped. "She deserves to know."
Mila's head was spinning. "Know what?"
Zayn reached for her hand — but she pulled away.
"Tell me," she said. "Now."
Mrs. Calhoun's lips thinned. "He's not who you think he is. And if you stay close to him… you'll be next."
"Next for what?" Mila demanded.
Mrs. Calhoun opened her purse, pulled out a folded photograph, and slid it onto the table.
Mila's fingers hesitated before picking it up.
What she saw nearly stopped her heart.
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A photo of Mila… and the girl Zayn lost — identical, side by side.
→ Was Mila just a coincidence… or something more chilling?
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💌 What's the connection between Mila and the mystery girl in the j
ournal?
👉 Chapter 6 holds the answers… and more questions.