The familiar voice made Elena's heart skip a beat. She turned slowly, trying to hide the panic in her eyes.

"Elena, is that you?" Her sister was approaching, concern etched on her face.

"Hi, Clara," Elena replied, her voice trembling slightly. "What are you doing here?"

"I arrived in the city today," Clara replied, her eyes quickly assessing Elena's state. "Are you okay? You look... different."

"I'm fine."

But the blush on Elena's cheeks betrayed that she wasn't exactly fine.

Biting her lip to contain the overwhelming emotions and sensations taking over her body, the Wolves' mascot asked her sister:

"Did something happen? I thought you said you'd never come back here to live."

Clara's expression changed from concern to something much sadder, but she subtly tried to hide it.

"Well, about that..."

"What?"

Looking somewhat embarrassed, Clara started playing with the strands of her long, dark brown hair.

"Can we talk somewhere else?"

"What happened?" Elena insisted.

"I don't want to talk about it here, in the middle of the street."

On Elena's phone, Evan's voice sounded again:

"You should see what she wants, sweetheart."

"So?" Clara asked.

Before Elena could respond to her sister, Evan communicated:

"You have permission to remove your toy in the bathroom, if that's your concern about talking to your little sister."

An unexpected act of kindness? Or just another way to confuse her and toy with her feelings? Elena didn't know what to feel about it, but she took the opportunity and told Clara:

"Sure. Why don't we go to a café?"

"Alright. You pick."

Elena led Clara to a nearby café, feeling the pressure of Evan and James' watchful eyes, who were probably monitoring her every step. They entered the establishment and sat at a table in the back, away from the other customers. Elena was aware of every move, trying to keep her composure despite the desperate situation.

"I'll just go to the bathroom quickly, okay?" Elena said, trying to sound casual.

Clara nodded, looking around, still worried.

"Sure, I'll order us some coffee."

Elena went to the bathroom and, after entering one of the stalls, with trembling hands, removed the vibrator, feeling immediate relief, although she knew the real tension was yet to come.

Looking at her own reflection in the establishment's mirror, the young woman wondered what was so serious that Clara needed to talk to her in person instead of delivering the news over the phone. Clara, who years ago had said with all her might that she was leaving that "city of failures" to find a "real place" to live.

She washed her face, took a deep breath, and put the device in one of the pockets of her tiny shorts before returning to the table, trying to appear more composed.

When she got back, Clara couldn't help but make an ironic comment:

"I never thought I'd see you wearing that kind of outfit."

Trying in vain not to feel offended—after all, she did look quite comfortable in that skimpy outfit—Elena sat at the table.

"I ordered your favorite," her sister said, pointing to the steaming cup.

Elena looked at the latte with vanilla and cinnamon and tried to thank her for the kindness, but her frustration with the constant monitoring of the billionaires at her heels, along with Clara's completely unexpected appearance, prevented her from doing so.

After taking a sip of the coffee, the journalist asked:

"So? What happened?"

Clara sighed deeply, her eyes filling with tears as she tried to find the right words. Elena felt a pang in her heart, sensing that something terrible was coming.

"Mom is sick, Elena," Clara said, her voice choked. "She's in the hospital."

Elena felt a shock run through her body. Out of all the things Clara could have said, this was the last she expected...

"What? Sick how? What happened?"

Clara wiped a tear that rolled down her cheek. "She started feeling unwell a few weeks ago. She was tired, had no appetite, and had persistent pain. We went to the doctor, and after several tests, they found out it's something serious. They still don't know exactly what it is, but it's bad."

Elena's world seemed to crumble around her.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier? I would have come back immediately."

"I didn't want to worry you without being sure," Clara explained, holding Elena's hand. "But now things have gotten worse, and I needed you to know. We need to be together for her."

Elena's eyes filled with tears. Memories of their mother, who was never exactly loving or protective towards her, flashed through her mind like a short film. Even though they had grown apart, even though Clara had always been the favorite daughter... She couldn't abandon her.

"I need you to come with me to Silverbook. I... We both need your help."

The phone was off. That meant neither Evan nor James were hearing her sister's confession. Should she risk telling her part of the truth?

"I... I can't, Clara."

"What? Why not?"

Nervously, Elena looked around, trying to spot any signs of the Wolves. Of course, they were nearby and watching from somewhere, but...

...there were no visible signs of them. The café was busy, but no one seemed to be paying too much attention to the sisters.

"Elena, please," Clara insisted, a mix of confusion and desperation in her voice. "What's going on? Why can't you?"

Elena took a deep breath, trying to find a way to explain without revealing everything.

"Clara, I... I'm in a complicated situation right now. It's not safe for me to leave here. At least, not for now."

Clara looked at her, incredulous.

"Complicated? What are you talking about? This is more important than anything. Mom needs us."

It was now or never. While she was temporarily out of the billionaires' absurd vigilance, she should tell everything, or at least what really mattered.

Adjusting herself in the chair and leaning closer to her sister, Elena opened her mouth, ready to spill everything, but...

A hand both soft and calloused at the same time touched her exposed shoulder. The journalist felt a shiver spread through her body as she looked at who was standing behind her.

James's dark hair swayed slightly as he tilted his neck to the side, like a cat about to corner a mouse.

"Elena. It's good to see you."