The warehouse felt smaller now that Isabella was gone.The shadows seemed less threatening, the silence less heavy. But the tension remained, coiled in the space between Ella and Sophia like a wire pulled too tight. One wrong move, one wrong word, and everything would snap.Clara was still unconscious in the chair, her head still hanging forward, her breathing still shallow. Ella wanted to go to her, wanted to untie the ropes and hold her mother and never let go. But Sophia stood between them, her body a barrier, her eyes unreadable."You said you wanted to talk," Ella said. "So talk."Sophia was quiet for a moment. Her gaze moved from Ella to Clara and back again, lingering on her mother's face."I used to dream about her," Sophia said. Her voice was soft, distant, like she was talking to herself. "When I was little. I'd imagine she was coming back. That she'd walk through the door and take me away from him.""Sophia—""But she
Last Updated : 2026-05-20 Read more