Chapter 80

The night is quiet. Too quiet.

Emma sits on the edge of the bed, gripping her phone so tightly her fingers tremble. The message still lingers on the screen, its weight pressing against her chest like an iron vice.

You made the wrong choice, Emma.

A second later, the next message followed.

He's not who you think he is.

Her pulse pounds in her ears, drowning out the faint hum of the city below. Her mind races through the possibilities—who sent it? Alex? Victoria? Someone else?

Or… was it true?

She swallows hard, a cold shiver running down her spine.

Michael has been nothing but patient, nothing but understanding, offering his home, his protection. But deep down, in the corners of her mind she's tried to ignore, a sliver of doubt festers.

Michael doesn't do things without reason.

He never has.