Chapter 175

• Author's POV
• After the chaos had settled and the bodies of the Scorpion gang members were nothing but fading memories on scorched ground, Marcel returned to the estate, his arms gently wrapped around the trembling form of little Kemi. Her eyes were wide, haunted but alive, her small fingers still clinging tightly to the torn hem of his shirt like he was the only anchor keeping her from drifting back into darkness.
• As soon as they arrived, Madam Yesenia came running out of the house. The moment her eyes landed on her niece—frail, frightened, but breathing—her knees nearly gave way. She let out a strangled sob and threw her arms around Kemi, cradling her close like she’d never let go again.