Chapter 1 The Day Everything Burned

Naomi Blake stood at the foot of the courthouse steps, her fingers wrapped tightly around her phone as rain began to fall. The sky above was gray and heavy, mirroring the weight pressing against her chest.

The verdict still echoed in her mind.

Case dismissed.

That was all it took to destroy five years of sacrifice. Five years of chasing the truth. Five years of trying to clear her father's name.

People passed her without a second glance. Laughter drifted through the air. Cars rushed by. The world did not pause for broken hearts.

Naomi lowered her gaze to the screen again, as if staring long enough might change the words.

She had lost the case.

She had lost the house.

She had lost the last piece of hope that her father had died an innocent man.

Her lips curved into a weak smile that held no joy. She remembered sitting at the small kitchen table late at night, sorting through documents while her father slept in the next room. She remembered promising him she would fix everything.

Now he was gone.

And the truth had been buried with him.

Rain soaked through her jacket, but she did not move. The pain inside her was sharper than the cold.

Her phone vibrated.

Naomi frowned. She did not recognize the number.

A message appeared.

You should have walked away when you had the chance.

Her heart skipped.

She typed back slowly.

Who is this?

The reply came almost instantly.

Someone who warned your father. Someone who warned you.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Memories rushed back. Her father sitting on the edge of the bed, his face pale, his voice shaking as he told her to stop digging.

If anything happens to me, do not fight them.

At the time, she had thought he was afraid. Now she knew better.

Naomi's fingers trembled as she clenched her phone. They did not just ruin his name. They destroyed him.

And now they were coming for her.

Thunder rumbled in the distance as another message appeared.

You still have a choice, Naomi Blake.

Her eyes narrowed.

Disappear.

Or fight.

She lifted her head slowly, rain streaming down her face. Fear was there, yes, but beneath it burned something stronger.

Anger.

Resolve.

Defiance.

"I am done running," she whispered.

If her life had been reduced to ashes, then she would rebuild it herself. If they wanted her silent, they would learn how dangerous a woman could be when she had nothing left to lose.

Naomi Blake turned away from the courthouse.

This was not the end of her story.

It was the beginning.