Morgan

days f

time flowed like a

fourth day, the blac

another figure in t

aning heavily on Christian's arm as i

placed by a genuine vulnerability that made my ghost

been sharp as a blade, but now,

e of spun glass. He helped her out of the car,

o her burned a fresh hole

nt sentinel. He waited, brave and defiant, for Christian's n

he rundown houses, and the empty

with unconcealed fury. "Are you really this cold

a cruel mocke

-blo

hed me. She was the one

tch, then continued, his tone softening to a sac

n fix this. I'll pave the way. I'll bring in doctors, build

, as if my life, my love, and

his eyes scanning the villagers, trying to gau

d the most heartl

ne utterly devoid of warmth. "I'l

wn c

had just tr

l refused to ackn

ught he was saving me. He genuinely beli

ance was

s ground. He didn't give Christian any

lara suffered greatly here. After you sent her

rt harassing her." Hearing those words was a bit

one was speak

ld, barely clinging to life. Her body was... covered in bruises.

fighting

in the little cemetery at the edge of the woo

et out a da

about the child? Let me guess, the product of Elara'

lief. He still couldn't accept that I was

ined, his gaze unwavering. "She was pregnant when she arrived,

we took the child i

. A flash of surprise crossed her features, followed qui

She had al

ly flashed back

hristian ki

abin. She hadn't come to comfort

aying on her lips. She wasn't fragile then; she was a

sweetness. "Did you really think you could have Christia

d, my voice hoarse, consumed by terr

rd across the face, ove

, her eyes gleaming with insane jealou

my fingers and

my knuckles until the bones shattered

e!" she shrieked, her v

der foot connecting wit

by in my womb, but my cries were smothered by

r, barely conscious. She leaned in close, h

, Elara. How dare you live, how dare you breathe t

vable order: "Kill her. Make it loo

owed her orders. They viol

by pain and terror, my

y broken shell, watching as they t

the one who orche

ying the innocent victim, while her body-weakened by

till demanding answers, still

efforts were in vain. My

er, was the only mark I ha