CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

LARA

I slammed the car door shut, gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. The goodbye between Hades and me had been frustratingly brief. He’d given me that same guarded look he always wore, the one that said don’t get too close. And as much as I wanted to respect his boundaries, something about his retreating back made my chest ache.

I wasn’t stupid. The bruises, the excuses, the way he avoided any personal questions—it didn’t take a genius to figure out that something was wrong. And yet, every time I tried to push, he’d shut me out.

“Fine,” I muttered to myself, glancing in the rearview mirror. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll find out for myself.”

The idea popped into my head before I could think twice about it. It was ridiculous—borderline invasive—but the longer I sat there watching him walk further down the street, the more I felt like I couldn’t just let him go.

My heart pounded as I turned the ignition, easing my car out of the parking lot. He didn’t have a car, so he was walking, which made it easy enough to keep a safe distance. I felt a pang of guilt as I followed him, but I shoved it down. This wasn’t about prying into his life; it was about understanding. About helping him, even if he didn’t think he needed it.

The streets gradually changed as I trailed him. The pristine, tree-lined roads near the school gave way to cracked sidewalks and dimly lit alleys. The air felt heavier here, and I couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach as I realized just how far removed Hades’ world was from mine.

Finally, he turned a corner, disappearing down a narrow street. I pulled over quickly, parking a few blocks back so he wouldn’t notice me. My heart was hammering in my chest as I stepped out of the car, my breath catching in the cold night air.

What are you doing, Lara?

The voice in my head sounded suspiciously like Gianna’s, full of judgment and disbelief. But I ignored it, my feet moving before I could second-guess myself. I needed to know. I needed to understand what Hades was hiding, why he seemed so determined to push everyone away.

I crept closer, keeping to the shadows. When I reached the corner, I peeked around, spotting him entering a run-down building with peeling paint and broken windows. My stomach twisted.

This wasn’t just a rough part of town—it was the kind of place you didn’t come to unless you had no other choice.

I lingered there for a moment, my mind racing. Part of me wanted to turn around, to go back to my car and pretend I hadn’t just followed him halfway across the city. But another part of me—the part that couldn’t stop worrying about him—refused to leave.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped back into the shadows, my heart pounding as I tried to figure out what to do next.

I stood outside the building for what felt like an eternity, my arms wrapped tightly around myself against the biting chill of the night air. Every instinct screamed at me to leave, to get back in my car and drive away. What was I even doing here?

I glanced up at the building again. It was eerily quiet except for the faint hum of a distant car engine and the occasional bark of a stray dog. The windows on the first floor were dark, and the only light came from a flickering streetlamp a few feet away. I shuffled nervously, debating whether I should just knock on the door or— No. That’s insane.

Time seemed to slow. The stillness of the street, the quiet tension in the air, the way my pulse thundered in my ears—it all made the situation feel heavier, more real. I told myself I was overreacting. Hades was probably fine. He’d just disappear inside for the night like he always did, and tomorrow at school, he’d act like nothing was wrong.

But then I heard it.

A muffled scream.

My stomach dropped.

At first, I wasn’t sure if I’d imagined it. The sound had been faint, distorted, like it was coming from deep inside the house. I took a hesitant step closer, straining to hear through the oppressive silence. That’s when it came again—a sharp yell, followed by a crash, and then... grunting.

Panic gripped me. My heart raced as I froze in place, unsure of what to do. The noises continued, growing louder and more frantic—furniture scraping, glass shattering, voices yelling over each other.

Hades.

I didn’t think. My feet moved on their own as I crossed the street, stopping just short of the entrance. The door was slightly ajar, the dim glow of a hallway light spilling out onto the cracked pavement. The sounds were clearer now—angry shouting, a woman crying, heavy footsteps thudding against the floor.

My hands trembled as I reached for the doorframe. Every nerve in my body was on edge, screaming at me to turn back. But how could I? How could I leave him in there when I knew something was wrong?

I hesitated, trying to calm my racing thoughts. My breathing was shallow, my palms clammy. I wanted to call someone—anyone—but my phone was back in the car.

The shouting inside reached a crescendo, followed by another crash, and I flinched as the sound of breaking glass echoed into the night. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest.

For a moment, I considered calling his name, but I clamped my mouth shut. Whatever was happening inside, it wasn’t safe. And yet, despite my fear, I couldn’t bring myself to walk away.

So, I stayed, rooted to the spot, listening helplessly as the chaos unfolded just beyond the threshold.