You didn’t think twice when they knocked.Three of them sharp eyed, dressed in street-casual clothes that didn’t quite hide the weight they carried. They said they were old friends of Eli’s, and something in their voices made it feel wrong to leave them standing outside. So you smiled, polite and kind, stepping aside to let them in.

“I’m Eli’s fiancée,” you said warmly, guiding them into the living room. “He’s just finishing up at work he should be home any minute.”

You offered drinks tea, water, whatever they wanted. They declined, but one of them, a woman with eyes that never stopped scanning the room, gave her a nod of respect. Minutes passed. Tension settled like dust on old furniture. Then the door opened.

Eli stepped inside, loosening his tie, the day still clinging to his shoulders. He paused the second he saw them Ava leaning on the wall like she owned the place, Malik seated with his arms crossed, and Sienna twirling a coaster between her fingers. You turned to him with a bright smile, oblivious to the weight in the room.

“Hey, babe. Your friends are here.” There was a beat of silence. One heartbeat, maybe two. Then Ava spoke, voice cool and low. “Long time, Eli. Hope we didn’t come at a bad time.”