Opening the Box
The next day, when Jacob left for work, Elena rushed to the basement. She knelt in front of the box, her hands shaking as she inserted the key. It clicked open. Inside, she found stacks of cash, a few passports with different names, and a burner phone. Elena’s mind spun. Was Jacob living a double life? Was he involved in something illegal? She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. This was far worse than she had imagined.
Opening the Box
The Phone Call
Elena knew she had to be careful. She couldn’t confront Jacob yet—not until she had more information. She turned on the burner phone, scrolling through the contacts and messages. Most of the numbers were unfamiliar, but one stood out: a recent message from someone named “R.” It simply said, “Deadline approaching. Be ready.” Elena’s heart pounded in her chest. What deadline? What was Jacob preparing for? She realized she needed to act fast, or she might be caught in the crossfire.
The Phone Call
