CHAPTER 78

OWEN'S POV

The ding of my phone woke me up and I sat up immediately. Another message from the anonymous sender. My heart started beating fast as I opened it, feeling a strange mix of curiosity and dread.

The message read: "Don't forget our meeting. Wait in a hidden corner. Don’t be seen."

I wasted no time as I gently got out of bed and threw some clothes on, slipping out of the house without alerting Charlotte.

She had been through enough already, and I didn’t want her to worry more. The early morning air bit at my skin as I got into my car, but the chill couldn’t compare to the tension crawling through my veins.

The ride to the cafe wasn’t too far, but every second stretched out like an eternity. When I arrived, I parked a little away from the entrance, just in case someone was watching. I couldn’t afford to be reckless.

I entered the cafe quietly and I scanned the area as I walked. It looked normal just like any other day. A few customers sat here and there as it was still early,