Chapter 22

Mia's POV

As the days turned into weeks and our investigation into the secret societies intensified, a surprising development shook the very foundation of my world. It was a crisp autumn afternoon when I received a call from an unknown number. Hesitant but intrigued, I answered, and a familiar voice greeted me.

"Mia, it's me. It's Claire."

My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the voice of my childhood friend, Claire. She had vanished without a trace many years ago, leaving behind unanswered questions and a void in my life. And now, she had resurfaced, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

I arranged to meet Claire at a secluded café, needing to see her face-to-face, to confirm that this wasn't some elaborate ruse. As I entered the café, my eyes scanned the room until they locked onto her. Time seemed to stand still as we locked eyes, the weight of our past and the unanswered questions hanging heavily between us.

Claire had transformed into a confident, succ