Michael’s POVThe air outside didn’t just smell different—it felt different.Fernando was gone.Or at least, his men were. I could breathe again.It wasn’t full freedom—not yet—but it was the first inhale after drowning.I stood by the window, arms crossed, watching traffic move like a lazy stream down the street. Life was going on outside while I had been locked up, scared, frozen. It was time I joined it again.Ashley stepped into the room, arms folded across her chest. She leaned against the doorframe, watching me as I laced up my boots."You sure about this?" she asked, her voice low but warm."Yeah," I said, trying to sound solid. My fingers paused mid-loop, a slight tremor betraying the nerves building in my stomach. “I have to start somewhere.”She tilted her head, worry lacing her features. “You don’t owe anyone anything, Michael. You’ve been through hell. You deserve time to just… heal.”“I know,” I said, tying the final knot. “But hiding is not healing.”That shut her u
Last Updated : 2025-06-11 Read more