Chapter 25

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of Erica’s room, casting a warm glow across the bed. She hadn’t slept much after her talk with Julian the night before. Her mind had been racing, spinning around everything they had revealed to each other. The secrets they had shared had created a new dynamic between them—one built on trust, but also uncertainty.

Erica dressed quickly, pulling on a pair of black jeans and a fitted sweater. She wanted to be comfortable, but she also needed to be prepared. Every step she took now was deliberate, every action calculated. There was no room for error. Ophelia was still out there, plotting, and Erica wasn’t going to sit idly by while everything she loved was threatened.

She made her way downstairs, her footsteps light but purposeful. As she reached the bottom of the staircase, she found Amanda in the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of coffee. The nurse looked up, a tired smile on her face.

"Good morning," Amanda said. "You look… focused."

"I