Chapter 18

Erica sat upright in her bed, staring at the darkness outside her window. The world felt colder since Sophia’s visit, every shadow a reminder that danger was closer than ever. Her home, once a sanctuary, now felt more like a prison. The nurse, once a source of comfort, had revealed her true intentions, and Erica couldn’t shake the sense of vulnerability that lingered.

She glanced at the door of her room, the soft light from the hallway spilling under the crack. She knew the nurse, the new one Jonathan had arranged after Sophia’s departure, would be checking on her soon. But that did little to ease the restlessness gnawing at her. Someone was after her, and they weren’t going to stop until they succeeded.

Her fingers fidgeted with her phone as she debated what to do next. Julian hadn’t come by in days, and part of her feared what that might mean. The more she thought about it, the less sure she was of where his loyalties lay. Was he being held back by something beyond his control? Or