**Chapter 1: A Tense Encounter**

The warm glow of the afternoon sun streamed through the windows of Dorothy's Miami home, casting a cozy ambiance over the living room. Dorothy was busy in the kitchen, preparing a snack, while her friends were out running errands. The peaceful atmosphere was disrupted by a sudden knock at the door. Dorothy's heart sank as she recognized the voice calling out, "Dorothy, it's me, Lucas." She hadn't seen or spoken to Lucas, her ex-husband, in years. The memories of their tumultuous marriage still lingered, and she wasn't eager to revisit the past. With a deep breath, she made her way to the door, steeling herself for the encounter. As she opened the door, Lucas stood before her, his expression cold and calculating. "Lucas, what are you doing here?" Dorothy asked, trying to keep her tone neutral. "I just thought I'd drop by and catch up," Lucas said, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something or someone. Dorothy's instincts told her to be cautious. She didn't trust Lucas as far as she could throw him. "I'm not really in the mood for company, Lucas. Please, just go." Lucas's face darkened, and for a moment, Dorothy worried that he might become belligerent. But then, a smirk spread across his face, and he said, "Oh, come on, Dorothy. Don't be like that. I just want to talk." Dorothy's eyes narrowed, sensing trouble. She didn't want to invite Lucas into her home, but she also didn't want to be rude. "Fine, come in," she said, stepping aside to let him in. As Lucas entered, Dorothy couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She knew that Lucas was up to no good, and she was determined to keep her guard up. Little did she know, this encounter would be just the beginning of a tumultuous ride.