Mike took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. "Rhea, I won't participate in your madness. Do as you please!"

He was about to leave when Rhea's voice stopped him. "Mike Corden, do you think you had a choice once you entered my car?"

"I've already gotten out," Mike replied, turning to face her. He understood her implication, but feigned ignorance, knowing complicity would be madness.

"I don't care whether you understand or are pretending. Now that you know, there's no refusing!" Rhea said coldly, her expression unsettling.

They stood motionless until the garage door creaked, drawing their attention. Rhea instinctively reached for her waist, turning warily toward the entrance, while Mike remained still.

The door slowly opened, revealing a hazy figure in the backlighting.

"Ree, is that you?" a woman's gentle voice called out.

Rhea's guarded stance softened. "Mom!" she replied, a hint of annoyance in her tone.

Maria rushed forward, then remembered something, turning back to close the garage door before rejoining Rhea. She carefully examined her daughter. "Ree, it's really you! You've come home! I saw the garage door move and came to check. Why didn't you say hello first? Are you here to… see him?"

Mike was stunned. So, she knows. She knows someone's here, and who it is. Rhea's mother is an accomplice?!

Rhea held her mother's arm. "I can't always give advance notice due to restrictions. My time is limited; whether I tell you or not doesn't matter."

"How can it not matter? Even for a brief moment. I won't delay you. Didn't I do well with what you asked?" Maria protested, seeking approval.

Rhea nodded. "Not bad. Has he woken up?"

"He's awake, but unresponsive. Ree, will he still listen to you?"

Rhea nodded again. "He will."

Mike listened silently, a sense of foreboding settling over him as mother and daughter plotted something momentous. The dusty garage air tickled his nose, eliciting a sneeze.

Maria only then noticed him. She whirled around, instantly defensive. "Who are you?! Don't be scared, Ree. I'll protect you. Go!" She instinctively shielded Rhea.

Mike was speechless.