Chapter 75: Under a Fragile Truce

Ashley woke to the sound of hushed voices. For a moment, she wasn’t sure where she was or what had happened. The room was dim, the only light coming from a small lamp on a nearby table. Her body ached, the pain in her side a constant, throbbing reminder of her injury. But she was alive, and the fear that had gripped her before she blacked out had receded slightly.

Slowly, she turned her head toward the source of the voices. Jackson and Victor were speaking quietly in the corner of the room, their faces obscured by the shadows. Amelia sat beside her, her hand still wrapped around Ashley’s, her eyes heavy with worry and exhaustion.

Ashley tried to speak, but her throat was dry and her voice cracked. Amelia immediately turned to her, her expression softening with relief. “Ashley,” she whispered, squeezing her hand gently. “You’re awake.”

Ashley managed a weak smile. “How long…?” she asked, her voice barely audible.

“Just a few hours,” Amelia replied, brushing a strand of hair away from A