CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND ONE – THE HUNT BEGINS

As they left the apartment, Florian couldn't shake Lou's words. He watched Cassie as they walked, noting the dark circles under her eyes, the tension in her shoulders. "Cassie," he said suddenly, stopping in his tracks. "Are you sure about this? About us?" She turned to him, surprise and hurt flickering across her face. "What? Of course I am. Why would you ask that?" Florian ran a hand through his hair, struggling to find the right words. "It's just... this isn't the life I wanted for you. Always looking over our shoulder, never feeling safe..." Cassie's expression softened. She stepped closer, cupping his face in her hands. "Florian, listen to me. I love you. Yes, this is hard. Yes, it's scary. But we're together. That's what matters." He leaned into her touch, his doubts easing slightly. "I just want you to be happy." "I am happy," she insisted. "As long as I'm with you." They shared a tender kiss, the world around them fading away for a moment. When they parted, Florian felt