Chapter 22 – Fire On Glass

• The storm rolled in like a warning—gray skies tumbling over the estate as thunder cracked in the distance. The lights flickered once, then died entirely, plunging the house into velvet darkness.
• Alina froze in the hallway, her breath catching. The sudden silence that followed was worse than the thunder. No hum of electricity, no soft whirring from the security system. Just the violent rhythm of rain slapping against the windows and the ragged beat of her heart.
• She reached for the wall, fingertips grazing cold marble, searching for direction. The hall seemed longer now. Endless.