Fatal Mistake

He shouldn’t be here.

How did he even know where she lived?

“Lyra!” he called, like they were old friends meeting by chance on a morning stroll. “Good morning!”

She hesitated, brows drawing together.

“Dr. Thorne?” Her body tensed. “What are you doing here?”

He smiled — wide, warm, practiced.

“I hope I didn’t scare you,” he said quickly, hands raised in a calming gesture. “I just… wanted to s