Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

Chapter 162

MAYA

After everything, my mother and I ended up on the streets with nowhere to go. It was a feeling of helplessness that I can't quite put into words. But then, just when things seemed bleakest, the man we met the other day unexpectedly pulled up beside us. He offered us a place to stay.

It was a small apartment, nothing luxurious, but it had four walls and a roof and that was enough. I didn't care whose apartment it was or how he'd managed to arrange it; all that mattered was that my mother and I were no longer out in the cold. As we settled in, my mother broke the silence. "Do you think we should set up a GoFundMe account?" she asked.

I felt my frustration flare up. "With what reputation?" I shot back, unable to hide my irritation. "After everything that's been said online? Do you think people are going to do anything other than mock us?" She didn't seem to grasp that things had changed. Maybe, back when we still had people's sympathy, it could've worked. But now? Now it felt too late.

Just then, the front door creaked open, and the young man stepped into the living room. I looked at him for a moment, trying to put a name to his face. "What was your name again?" I finally asked, realizing I didn't even know who this stranger was who'd offered us shelter in our time of need.

Clover dropped a bottle of water onto the table, then settled into his seat, picking up his plate with a quiet sigh. "Clover."

I let the name sink in, intrigued by its unusualness. "Clover," I repeated. "So, why do you have it out for the Williams family? And why go out of your way to help me?"

He shrugged, a bitter smirk playing on his lips. "Isn't it obvious?" he murmured, his voice filled with an old resentment. "They tore my life apart, just like they did yours. And all because I dared to want even a taste of the privileges they hoard for themselves." Oh... maybe this is an avenue to use this to my favor. "So... do you have a plan? A way to take them down? Lily and Ryan, specifically?"

A spark flickered in his eyes as he nodded. "Oh, I've got the perfect way," he said, savoring the words as he spoke them. He carefully set his plate aside, replaced the lid, and grabbed one of the water bottles he'd brought with him. "There's a guy named Jake," he continued, "someone who despises them as much as we do. And he once told me that the most effective way to hurt them... is to target what they cherish most." Clover paused, letting his words sink in. "Their kids."

My eyes widened, and I felt my stomach churn. "You want to abduct their children?" I whispered, the enormity of it hitting me hard.

Clover shook his head, his expression dark. "No, not abduct. I'm talking about silencing them-permanently. They took away the one person I cared about, and I'm going to make them feel that same loss."

rush of fear and disbelief. "You're talking

to be involved.

still be considered an accomplice if anyone found out? Just knowing about this-being aware and doing nothing-was enough to make me guilty in the eyes of the law. It could ruin me. The thought of years behind bars

I'm not getting caught," he promised, his tone calm and

prison? Clover had actually been in prison, which meant he wasn't just talk-he was serious, capable, and likely very dangerous. Reaching for my water bottle, I took a long drink, trying to swallow the knot of food and anxiety caught in my throat. My mind raced, weighing the risks. Was I really willing to get wrapped up in something that could go horribly wrong? This was crossing a line, and I knew

you should agree to this," my mother's voice broke through my thoughts,

a sharp glare.

life out of the pieces she'd let crumble. After all the struggles I'd endured, I wasn't about to take advice from the person who'd failed me

of prison," I said, "you seem strangely eager to head right back there. And frankly, I have no intention

said, "just hear me out. Let me tell you exactly what the plan is. I promise if you still don't want in,

was a part of me

desire to know what Clover had in mind-got the better of me. Maybe it was the lure of power or maybe just the thrill of knowing someone was finally challenging

hear it. What

how I plan to handle things aren't any of your concern," he said bluntly. "Where you come in is afterward-when Ryan and Lily are broken, mourning the loss of their children. While they're drowning in grief, you quietly move in and take whatever you can

tight, wait

replied.

myself clear. "Fine," I said, waving a hand around the room. "But remember,

he said. "You

you

he made a sign as if crossing his heart. "I don't drag people down with me unless they give me a