Love Under Contract
While the estate buzzed with frantic tactical orders, I walked back up the grand staircase toward the guest wing, my chest heavy with a suffocating weight.
Victoria was out there. Free. Lingering in the shadows like a poisonous phantom, waiting for her next chance to strike at our family.
I pushed open the door to Daphne’s suite softly, stepping inside.
Daphne was lying under the soft white duvet, her body curled into a tight, defensive ball. Hearing the door open, she flinched violently, shrinking back against the pillows with wide, trembling dark eyes full of raw, helpless terror.
"E-Elena...?" she rasped out, her voice breaking as tears brimmed in her eyes. "I heard loud sirens outside...