Chapter 101:The Aftermath

The deafening silence that followed the gunshot was more terrifying than the sound itself. Time seemed to slow down as everyone tried to process what had just happened. The once serene restaurant, filled with laughter and love, had transformed into a scene of chaos and fear. Michael's heart pounded in his chest as he quickly turned toward Rachel, who was still standing in shock, her eyes wide and filled with terror. He reached out to her, his hands trembling as he grabbed her shoulders. "Rachel," he whispered, his voice choked with panic, "are you okay?" Rachel slowly blinked, as if waking from a trance. She looked down at herself, checking for any signs of injury, then back up at Michael, shaking her head in disbelief. "I'm...I'm fine," she stammered, her voice barely audible. But someone wasn’t. The blood on the floor told them that much. Alexander, who had been seated closest to the source of the gunshot, instinctively rose from his chair, his protective instincts kicking in. Hi