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Chapter 31: A message written in blood

Author: Annie
last update Last Updated: 2025-09-22 18:41:40

“I am watching you.” The words were scrawled beneath the box in jagged handwriting, the ink so dark it looked as though it had been carved rather than written.

My scream tore out of me before I could stop it, echoing through the room like glass shattering. I stumbled backward, my knees knocking against the chair leg, my eyes fixed on the open box in horror.

The bloodied heart sat grotesquely inside, wrapped in tissue that was soaked through, its metallic stench already seeping into the air.

Valerio moved instantly, taking the box from my shaking hands. His face hardened the moment he saw the content. Fury etched itself into every line of his expression.

My breath came in ragged gasps, my chest heaving as panic clawed its way up my throat. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. My skin prickled cold, and I was sure I was about to faint.

“Althea, calm down.” His voice cut through my panic, low but commanding. He dropped the box onto the table and rushed to my side. His arms went around me
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