Chapter 43

• The night air was heavy with smoke, and the faint cries of Matteo’s retreating men echoed through the woods. Maya clutched Ivy and Ethan’s hands tightly, leading them away from the tunnel’s exit. Every step felt precarious, her heart pounding with every sound around them.
• “Keep moving,” she urged, her voice steady despite her fear. “We have to keep moving.”
• The children stumbled, their small legs struggling to keep up on the uneven forest floor. Maya’s eyes darted around, scanning for any sign of pursuit. The woods were eerily quiet, but she knew better than to trust it. Matteo’s men wouldn’t give up so easily.