LOGINVICTORIAThe secure location we went to smelled like disinfectant and burnt coffee. It was the kind of smell that was clean, but felt like it was hiding something rotten underneath. I hated it the moment I stepped in.Diana sat on the edge of the couch, wrapped in a thick gray blanket. Her knees were pulled to her chest. Her hands shook so badly that the fabric rustled every few seconds. Mascara streaks ran down her cheeks in uneven lines, and her lips kept trembling like she was cold, even though the room was very warm.She looked small. She had never looked small before.Clark stood near the window with his back half turned to the room. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, and his shoulders were tense too. He kept staring out at the city lights. Elio hovered near the kitchen island with his laptop open, pretending to type while listening to every word. The guards stayed outside the door.I remained standing.I didn’t sit because sitting felt like sympathy, and Diana had alr
CLARKThe water didn’t rush in all at once. It crept in bit by bit.That was the worst part.It slid across the concrete floor slowly. The smell hit me first as the odor of old metal and river rot invaded my nostrils and burned the back of my throat.My boots were soaked within seconds.“Move,” I barked at the guards. “Now.”They reacted quickly, spreading out and checking the hallways while the alarm kept screaming overhead. The red lights flashed so hard that they made everything feel unreal, and it felt like we were inside a bad dream that refused to end.Victoria stood near Diana, as still as stone.She wasn’t panicking. She wasn’t rushing. She wasn’t even looking at the water climbing around her heels. Her face stayed calm and focused, almost distant.And that scared me even more than the flooding.I grabbed Diana before the water rose any higher. She cried out when I lifted her, clutching my jacket like she was afraid I’d drop her back into hell. Her body shook hard against mine
VICTORIAMargaret didn’t look rushed. She didn’t look afraid. She didn’t even look guilty.She stood in front of Diana like we were at a calm family meeting and not a dirty water plant filled with rust, fear, and knives. The blade in her hand stayed steady. Diana sobbed behind the gag, and her body shook so hard that the pole rattled.“I was never going to kill her,” Margaret said smoothly, like she was correcting a small misunderstanding. “That would be pointless.”My chest felt tight, but my face stayed blank. I refused to give her anything.“She’s my daughter,” Margaret continued. “I may not be a perfect mother, but I’m not a monster.”Diana let out a muffled cry, her eyes wide as she looked at me. Tears soaked her cheeks. Her makeup ran in dark streaks, making her look smaller somehow. Weaker too.“She was leverage,” Margaret added. “Nothing more.”Clark took one quick step forward. “You sick—”I lifted a hand without looking back. He stopped, but I felt his anger rolling off him
VICTORIAThe duplicate’s hand shook as she held the knife, but her face stayed empty. Her eyes didn’t blink or soften. She didn’t even react to Diana’s crying. It was like her body was there, but her mind was somewhere else, locked behind a wall Daniel had built piece by piece.Diana thrashed against the ropes, her chair scraping loudly against the concrete floor. Her muffled screams filled the whole space, sounding sharp and desperate. Her shoulders shook hard as she tried to free herself, while tears ran down her face and soaked into the gag. The sound clawed at my chest, trying to make panic well in my mind.But I didn’t let it.I stood still, hands relaxed at my sides, breathing slowly and controlled. Panic was what Daniel wanted. Fear was his game. If I broke now, he would win. I definitely wasn’t giving him that.Clark stepped forward, his body tense, his voice sounding dark. “This ends tonight.”Trent snapped back instantly, his nerves flaring. “You don’t give the orders.”I tu
VICTORIAThe dark figure was still standing over my bed, looking tall and still as he watched. Daniel didn’t rush or hide. He just stood there like he owned the space or he belonged in the room.My body reacted before my mind could catch up. A sharp chill ran up my spine. My hands tingled. My heart slammed hard against my ribs. Every part of me screamed to move, shout, or destroy the screen in front of me.But I didn’t. I stayed where I was.Clark swore loudly behind me and took a step forward, pure rage making his whole body tense. I lifted my hand without turning around.“Don’t,” I said.My voice shook, but I didn’t raise it. I refused to give Daniel the pleasure of hearing the sound of my fear. My knees trembled, but I locked them in place. I would not collapse. Not now. Not here.On the screen, the shadow leaned closer to the bed. A hand reached out slowly, almost gently. Fingers brushed through my hair like it was familiar. Like it was allowed.My stomach clenched so hard I thoug
VICTORIATraffic slowed so much that it almost stopped. Cars crept along like they were scared to move too fast, and I knew why.The drivers were staring. Some had phones lifted. Some had mouths open. Others pretended not to look but still did. The billboard looming over the highway was huge, bright, and impossible to miss. My duplicate stared back at me from it, blown up, looking larger than life. She wore the silver dress. My dress. The caption screamed lies in bold letters, daring me to do something about it.Heat rushed up my spine. A wave of humiliation tried to sink its claws into me, but I refused to let it take hold. I kept my face calm, blank, and cold. I would not give Daniel Rhodes or Mara Dane the pleasure of seeing me break. Not now. Not ever.Clark shifted beside me, his hand moving toward mine like it always did when he sensed danger. His fingers caressed my skin warmly, but I gently pulled my hand away. Not because I didn’t want him, but because I needed my head clear







