Night in the Moretti estate was never truly silent.Even when the guards hushed their steps, even when the chandeliers dimmed, the house itself seemed to breathe—a restless giant waiting for dawn.Leora lay awake, listening to that breath. The ceiling above felt oppressive, pressing her down with thoughts that wouldn’t quiet.The girl slept fitfully on the cot beside her, notebook clutched tight to her chest like a holy relic. In the glow of the dying lamp, her face looked younger—soft, almost innocent. But even in sleep, her fingers twitched as though fire lingered just beneath her skin.Leora reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from her brow. The girl stirred, whispering in her dreams. One word repeated, over and over: rules.Leora’s chest ached. “You’re more than rules,” she whispered. “More than what they made you.”But the girl didn’t wake.---By morning, the house pulsed with restless energy. The guards moved briskly, checking weapons, stacking crates, their voices low b
Last Updated : 2025-08-30 Read more