The forest had an oppressive stillness, broken only by Emily's labored breathing. She moved swiftly, boots sinking into the wet soil, branches tearing at her hair. The USB drive pulsed against her chest, a reminder of the weight she carried—not just her mother's secrets, but the secrets of the Knight family.
Alexander's face haunted her thoughts. The man she loved, yet feared. Her protector, yet potentially her captor. Everything about him, his family, his empire, the Blackwood connection—it all painted a picture she wasn't ready to accept.
Hours later, she stumbled upon an abandoned cabin. It was small, dark, and smelled of damp wood. She slipped inside, pressing her back against the wall, trying to control the shaking in her body. She pulled the USB drive from her pocket, examining it under the faint moonlight streaming through a broken window.
