Chapter 57 - Denial

Lucas's entire demeanor shifted, his smirk vanishing like a candle snuffed out by a gust of wind. His hands trembled slightly as he clicked on the thumbnail, the video expanding to fill the screen. There she was—Maya, looking younger and more vulnerable, her eyes filled with fear and defiance. The scene that played out made Lucas's blood boil.

The room fell silent, save for the muffled sound of the video. Diana, still seated across from him, watched with a mix of horror and confusion. "Lucas... what is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Maya stepped closer, her face pale but resolute. "That," she said softly, her voice trembling, "is why I can never escape Victor."

Lucas's grip on the phone tightened as his knuckles turned white. His sharp breath broke the oppressive silence. "He did this to you?" he asked, his voice low and laced with barely-contained rage.