Chapter 6

I stood in the dimly lit bedroom, watching Marcus's chest rise and fall in the peaceful rhythm of sleep. How strange that he could rest so easily while my world was crumbling around me. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting silver shadows across his face – a face I had onc

Chapter 7

I watched Marcus's downfall from afar, like observing a shipwreck through a telescope. Not close enough to be pulled under by the current, but near enough to witness every excruciating detail.

My new identity as Elena Cross fit me like a second skin now. The initial fear of being discov

Chapter 8

The invitation had arrived three weeks ago, and I had spent every day since then preparing for this moment. Standing before the mirror in my Seattle apartment, I hardly recognized the woman staring back at me. Gone was the fragile, broken Isabella who had fled in the dead of night three