Terror and Difiance

Lesley's breath came in shallow gasps as sheer terror clawed at her chest. The memories of her past trauma—the kidnapping, the syndicate's threats, Donovan's desperate rescue—flooded her mind like a nightmare she couldn't escape. But nothing compared to the icy dread that seized her now. Standing before her was the source of her deepest wounds: her mother, Cassandra. 

The woman's cold, calculating gaze bore into her as two hulking men flanked her sides, their presence suffocating. Cassandra held up a photo of Zoe between her perfectly manicured fingers, her lips curling in disdain. 

"So, you contacted this woman?" Cassandra's voice was a venomous purr. "Who is she, really? Donovan's mistress?" 

Lesley's throat tightened. "Please… just let me go." Her voice trembled, barely above a whisper. 

Cassandra's laugh was sharp, devoid of warmth. "No, dear. You're coming home. You're marrying into the Morgan family."