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44. Guilt Cage

Author: Lily's Ecstasy
last update Last Updated: 2025-07-13 06:37:44

Chapter 44: Guilt Cage

ETHAN’S POV

The world exploded in a roar of fire and steel, the blast from my car throwing me to the pavement, my ears ringing, my vision blurred with smoke and terror. Shrapnel sliced the air, a jagged piece grazing my arm, blood seeping through my torn sleeve. My thigh, still raw from Salazar’s stab wound from weeks ago, screamed as I hit the ground, my cane skittering across the asphalt.

I lay there, gasping, the diner’s neon sign flickering above, the smell of burning rubber and gasoline choking me. My life flashed—moments with Lucian, his hands on me, his voice promising to save me. What if I’d listened? What if I’d followed him into his car instead of arguing, too ashamed to be seen with him in broad daylight? What if I’d trusted him, just this once?

I scrambled to my knees, my hands scraped raw, my heart pounding. “Lucian!” I whispered, my voice shaky with fear, desperate, scanning the chaos.

People spilled out of Joe’s Diner—Joe, the owner, waitresses,
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