CHAPTER 0159

GIDEON'S POV

The basement was quiet. Still. The only sounds were my own breathing and the low hum of the ceiling light. I’d been sitting on the cold cement floor for over an hour, my back leaning against the wall, knees bent, head bowed.

In my hand was the only piece of peace I’d ever held on to—my mother’s photo. Her eyes stared back at me, just like they always did. Warm. Kind. Trusting. And som