Chapter 89 089

• The garden path behind the Connor mansion wound down toward the edge of the estate, where trees grew thick and the loud traffic noise of the city felt far away. Veronica led the way, her heels clicking softly against the cobblestones. Ella followed, a few steps behind, clutching her hands together. The silence between them seemed endless until Veronica finally spoke.
• "Do you know this path?" she asked, glancing over her shoulder. "Most people don’t. It used to lead to the old cottage where Chase and Ethan grew up. They were practically raised together."
• Ella looked up. The trees parted to reveal a small, two-story cottage, its walls covered in ivy. The paint was peeling, but there was something gentle about it. It was a softness that didn’t exist in the grand house they’d just left.