A Savior's Deception

VANESSA

"I need you to take me to Olivia's cottage," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. The fragments of memory had been haunting me since my last healing session with Dr. Keane—disjointed images of a face I knew too well.

Leo looked up from his desk, surprise evident in his eyes. "Now? It's nearly sunset."

"Yes, now." I paced across his office, unable to stand still as the memories churned inside me. "I remember something, Leo. Something important."

My brother studied me for a moment, then nodded. He knew that tone in my voice. "Let me tell Celia we'll be gone for a few hours."

The drive to the cottage was tense, filled with the weight of unspoken questions. Leo kept glancing at me, clearly wanting to ask what I'd remembered, but respecting my silence. The winding forest road eventually opened to a small clearing where a quaint stone cottage stood, smoke curling from its chimney.

"Are you sure about this?" Leo asked as he cut the engine.