As the SUV crawled to a stop, the tires crunched ominously over the gravel of the Donovan estate, and a jolt of panic surged through me. Thoughts raced through my mind. Had we been kidnapped? Why were we brought to this side of the city? It was only then that I realized the Donovans had another fortress, a hidden refuge beyond the familiar walls of the Donovan house.
The sprawling mansion loomed in the darkness, its lights spilling across the driveway like a welcoming beacon amidst the night. Despite that glow, a heaviness settled in my bones. Every bruise ached, my clothes clung to my skin, stiff with river water and dried blood. I craved nothing more than to fade away into silence, to escape this unfolding nightmare.
At the top of the steps stood two unmistakable figures of Marie and Edward. Even from a distance, their presence was palpable. Marie's graceful poise contrasted sharply with Edward's formidable stature. My breath hitched in my throat as I tightened my grip around Tristan's hand, the urgency of the moment making my knuckles ache.
Then, as the SUV came to a halt, Marie bolted toward us, her voice slicing through the stillness of the night, filled with an overwhelming relief that ignited a flicker of hope in my heart.
"Tristan! Charlie!" Her gaze locked onto me, and her eyes widened in shock. "And Ellie."
In an instant, she pulled me into her embrace, her warmth flooding over me like a refuge from the biting cold that clung to my skin. "Oh, sweetheart. You're safe. You're safe now."
Those words shattered something within me, unleashing a tide of tears that I had fought to hold back amidst gunfire and rushing rivers. I buried my face in Marie's shoulder, trembling as I let the moment wash over me. For just an instant, I was no longer trapped in a perilous world. I was simply a girl basking in the comfort of her mother's arms.
But then Edward's voice sliced through the fragile peace.
"As long as you were saved, it's enough."
I froze, the gravity of his tone resonating deep within me. When I drew back, his steely gaze was fixed on Tristan, piercing, unwavering, and filled with an intensity that demanded attention.
"We put her in danger again." He spoke.
Tristan squared his shoulders, his grip on my hand firm and defiant, as if challenging his father to intervene. "You don't need to worry, Father. I'll protect her, and she's already part of this," he retorted, his voice a low growl filled with determination. "Because she's with me."
His declaration resonated in the air, thick with tension and undeniable truth.
Edward's gaze shifted to me, sharp and frigid and more chilling than the coldest river. I swallowed hard, my throat tight, but I refused to avert my eyes. My body might have trembled, but I was resolved not to crumble under his intense stare.
Silence enveloped us, stretching on like a taut string. Finally, Edward's lips pressed into a thin, unforgiving line.
"Marie, see to her needs," he commanded, his gaze pinned on mine, unyielding. "And Tristan, we need to talk."
-
I could feel Ellie trembling beside me, but she held her ground, determined to stand tall despite the oppressive weight of my father's shadow. He radiated power and control, yet she faced him with an undeniable blend of fragility and fierce resolve.
Pride swelled within me, battling against the simmering anger ignited by Edward's dismissive words. To him, she was merely a risk, a liability, but to me, she was everything I believed in.
I wouldn't just ley my father walk away with that opinion. I was determined to make him see Ellie for what she truly was, whether he wanted to or not.