George returned home after being out for several hours and immediately noticed Zoe’s frustration over the mess on the couch.
“Where have you been all day?” she asked sharply.
Trying to deflect, George replied, “Oh, just out for a run.”
But Zoe wasn’t convinced. “Don’t lie to me—you couldn’t have been running the entire day.” George felt a wave of frustration wash over him. Now she thinks I’m lying?! he thought, struck by the irony.
It didn’t take long before the tension escalated. Their argument, initially sparked by Rex and the ruined couch, revealed deeper issues simmering beneath the surface. George was irritated by Zoe’s suspicion and came dangerously close to confronting her about the gas station earlier.
As their voices grew louder, Rex began pacing nervously. Suddenly, he barked sharply and leapt toward the front door. Both George and Zoe froze, exchanging alarmed glances. They knew Rex’s behavior meant something was very wrong.
A sense of dread gripped George. He quickly told Zoe to head upstairs. Something bad was about to happen. Checking the doorbell camera, he felt a chill run down his spine. A stranger, dressed entirely in black, was pounding on the front door, demanding to see Zoe. Days of stress culminated in this moment, and George knew he had to act fast.
Even with Rex barking and growling at the door, George realized he couldn’t handle the situation alone. The intruder’s persistence left no choice—the police had to be called. Upstairs, Zoe crouched in the bedroom, a mix of confusion and concern gripping her. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she crept to the top of the stairs to eavesdrop—but what she overheard left her stunned.
George was speaking urgently on the phone, soon contacting the authorities. The intruder’s knocking had triggered a torrent of emotions in Zoe. Relief, fear, and uncertainty churned together. Her heart pounded. “What is happening?” she whispered, just as distant sirens signaled the police were on their way. The mysterious man had fled, but George had the doorbell camera footage ready to show the authorities.
Upstairs, Rex had joined Zoe, his presence offering some comfort amidst the chaos.
“Zoe!” George’s voice, tense and urgent, cut through the room. “The police are here—they need to talk to you.”
Hearing this, Zoe’s mind raced. Is it about the man? Did they catch him? She stayed on the bed for a moment, drawing solace from Rex’s calm presence. But after George called for her twice more, the urgency in his voice finally prompted her to head downstairs. She assumed it was to discuss the intruder—but reality had a different, unexpected surprise in store.