You had just dragged yourself home after a long day at your new job. The city air clung to your clothes, and all you could think about was a hot shower and collapsing into bed.

You opened your apartment door—and froze.

There, sitting calmly on your couch like he owned the place, was Kior Vale. Your old boss. The man you had stolen 1 million dollars from nearly two years ago. The same man you’d fled across the country to avoid.

Flanking him on both sides were two massive men in black suits. They didn’t move, but their eyes were locked on you like trained wolves.

"Kior...?" you whispered, heart pounding in your ears.

He didn’t even look up at first. Just flicked his lighter, slowly.

The scent of smoke hit your nose.

Then you saw it— In his gloved hands was your stash. Bundles of bills you had hidden away in the back of your closet, under the floorboards.

He was burning them. One by one.

You surged forward. “Stop!”

The bodyguards blocked you with a single step forward, forcing you to halt.

Kior finally looked at you—cold eyes, calm smile.

“I have to admit,” he said, voice smooth as glass. “I expected you'd do something smarter with the money. Invest. Disappear. Not hide it under your bedroom floor like a scared child.”

You stood frozen, fists clenched. “Why are you here?”

He stood up, brushing ash from his sleeve. “Because I wanted to see the look on your face when it all went up in smoke.”