Rafael's world tilted—then shattered like glass. Henry Jackson. The name hit him like a blow to the chest. Him again?! He was there? Of course he was. The man who always lingered near Eliana every time Rafael saw her, his presence too casual to be innocent. The same name Sarai and Bianca had tossed into their web of lies, claiming Eliana was secretly dating him.
Rafael's breath caught, his chest tightening as if the air itself had turned against him. His steel eyes—hidden behind the mask of blindness—flashed wide with a terror he couldn't contain. Could it truly be coincidence that Henry happened to be there? Or had Sarai and Bianca's venom finally found its mark?
A vision of Eliana rose unbidden—her warm laughter, the kindness in her touch, the way she spoke his name like it meant something. The thought of her in danger, in his hands, sent a sharp pain ripping through his chest. Fear wrapped around him like iron chains, crushing every ounce of composure he had left.
