Chapter 26

• Charlotte slipped away from the lavish party, the vibrant sounds of laughter and music fading as she stepped into the quiet hallway. An ornate chandelier cast soft light around her, but it felt as though the shadows were closing in. She needed a moment away from the relentless conversations and the overpowering presence of Ester and Damien. A tight knot of emotions twisted in her stomach. The weight of her past felt suffocating, and the mere sight of the couple—Damien radiant at Ester's side—had revitalized memories she had fought hard to bury.
• As she leaned against the cool wall, her breaths became shallow. She desperately needed clarity, a respite from the swirling chaos that threatened to drown her. She glanced at her reflection in a nearby mirrored surface, her composure a fragile facade—eyes wide with disquiet, lips pressed into a thin line of determination.
• But her escape was short-lived. Just as she began to find her breath, she heard the heavy footsteps of men approaching. She turned, her heart racing, apprehension creeping in as she noticed two solidly built security guards striding down the hallway with purpose. They directed their focus toward her, and a deep sense of foreboding washed over her.