Chapter 27

• Jake***
• The air in the room was thick, heavy with the weight of loss and unanswered questions. Samuel’s body was still, the syringe still protruding from his neck like a grim reminder of his final, twisted act. Belle stood frozen, staring at the lifeless man she had once feared. I couldn’t see her face, but I could feel the tremor running through her, the shudder that seemed to reverberate from her soul.
• "Belle," I whispered, my voice low, but it felt like the words were swallowed by the oppressive silence. "Belle, look at me."