CHAPTER 55 — THE MESSAGE LEFT IN THE DARK
The storm had not eased.
Lightning split the night sky beyond the walls of Adrian's estate, illuminating the gardens in harsh, fleeting flashes. And every time the light flared, Elena flinched—not from the thunder, but from the memory of the voice she thought she'd never hear again.
Her brother.
Alive.
Watching her.
Her hands still trembled from the revelation, though she tried to hide it as she sat at the long marble table in Adrian's private study. The room was warm, safe, lit by soft amber lamps… but Elena felt none of that safety.
Not when pieces of her past were crawling out of the shadows.
Adrian stood across the table, phone in one hand, his other hand pressed against the edge of the desk as if anchoring himself. Marcus and Ward arrived minutes ago, soaked from rain, each wearing expressions carved from stone.
"Elena," Marcus said gently, "we need to ask you a few things. Only if you can handle it."
