Chapter 64

• Charlotte stepped into her apartment, the weight of the evening with Jake lingering in the air. It had been a pleasant enough date—he was charming, easy to talk to—but her mind had been elsewhere. Every laugh he elicited felt guilty, every smile a reminder of the turmoil that had woven itself into her life since she’d met Damien. It wasn't that she didn’t enjoy Jake’s company; it was just that Damien had burrowed into her thoughts like a stubborn splinter.
• She sank onto the sofa, glancing around at the familiar clutter of her living space, hoping it would lend her a sense of comfort. Just as she reached for her phone to send a quick text to Damien, a sharp knock echoed throughout the apartment, slicing through her thoughts. It was a jarring sound, sudden and out of context. Charlotte glanced at the clock—still quite late for visitors. Tension bloomed in her chest.
• Swiftly, she rose and padded cautiously toward the door, her heart thumping loudly in her ears. She opened it, a mix of curiosity and trepidation propelling her movements. The hallway was empty. A chill ran down her spine as she scanned the dimly lit corridor, every instinct in her screaming that something felt wrong.