The hospital smelled of antiseptic and lingering fear. It had been hours since they’d found Damion—his body, at least—wandering aimlessly in the forest, his clothes tattered, his face hollow. His eyes had been vacant, unseeing, like a man whose mind had been completely shattered. It had taken three of Adrian’s men to restrain him, to drag him out of the depths of the wilderness before he could disappear forever. Now, he lay in a hospital bed, bound by restraints, machines beeping softly beside him, his unconscious form barely clinging to reality.The sterile hum of fluorescent lights and the rhythmic beep of heart monitors filled the hospital ward as Damion lay on a bed that, though pristine white, now seemed unbearably cold. His body—though it looked human to the untrained eye—moved with the mechanical precision of someone not fully in control of his own being. For hours, the doctors had worked tirelessly to stabilize him after his frantic escape from the cursed forest, but his con
Adrian stepped closer, his presence magnetic and conflicted. “I never wanted to hide. I never wanted to be a secret—an abomination lurking in the shadows of our family’s disgrace. But the curse forced my hand. I would do what I think is necessary to protect our legacy, even if it meant sacrificing my own freedom.”Lucas, still standing by the doorway, glared at him. “Your protection came at the cost of Damion’s sanity, and now you expect us to accept that you’re going to fix everything with some magical key?”Adrian’s eyes flashed with bitter determination. “I know it sounds impossible. But I have to try. Every moment we delay is another moment lost. I’ll leave the hospital now with my men to retrieve the key and bring it back to its rightful place. Only then can we begin to reverse this cursed cycle.”Carmela’s voice broke through, laden with both despair and defiance. “So you’re saying that until the key is returned, Damion is… gone?”“I am here,” Adrian’s gaze dropped momentarily,
Adrian’s eyes shimmered with an emotion he rarely allowed himself to show. “I never wanted to hide, Carmela. I never wanted to keep the truth from you. But fate is cruel, and the curse has twisted our lives beyond repair. I promise you—I will do everything in my power to make it right. Just hold on a little longer.”The intensity in his voice, the raw vulnerability in his eyes, stirred something deep within Carmela. With a shaky cry, she nodded, “I’ll wait. I’ll wait as long as it takes.”A heavy silence fell once more as Adrian turned toward the door. “I’m leaving now,” he announced. “I must retrieve the key and set things right. My men will accompany me, and I will return with answers. Until then, do not lose hope.”With that, he stepped away from Carmela, his expression resolute yet haunted. His loyal aides gathered around him, and together they left the hospital, disappearing into the murky light of early morning.⸻Meanwhile, Inside the HospitalThe corridors were quiet after Adr
The night had deepened into a nearly impenetrable darkness by the time the sirens began to wail outside the hospital’s perimeter. Rain fell in a fine, persistent drizzle, blurring the neon reflections on slick pavement and turning the air cold and heavy. Inside the hospital, however, the atmosphere was even heavier—a mingling of grief, dread, and a desperate need for answers. The news that Elena had attempted to harm Damion’s unconscious body, that she had already killed two police officers during her frantic escape, had set off a chain of events none of them could have foreseen. Now, as the police closed in, the night was rapidly becoming a maelstrom of chaos and betrayal.Carmela sat in a quiet, dimly lit room off the main corridor, her tear-streaked face illuminated only by the soft glow of a desk lamp. Her parents had been sent home, unable to face the gruesome revelations of the past hours. Only Lily remained by her side—a constant, albeit fragile, pillar of support—and Leonar
Leonard’s voice was steady as he spoke, “Carmela, we’ll find him. We’re following every lead, every signal. But right now, we must let the police handle Elena. They’re tracking her down, and from what I’ve heard, she’s already killed two officers. It appears someone is shielding her—someone with power, someone who wants to keep her actions hidden.”Carmela’s eyes widened in shock, “Killed two officers? Who could possibly protect someone like that?”Leonard shook his head, “We don’t know yet. But it’s clear that Elena is not acting alone. We must assume there’s a network behind her—an organization or perhaps even a faction within the Blackwood legacy that has its own agenda.”The gravity of Leonard’s words sank into Carmela like a stone. “Then why wasn’t I told any of this before? I deserve to know the truth!”Lucas scowled. “Because sometimes, the truth is too dangerous to reveal until it’s absolutely necessary. We’re all in the dark right now.”Carmela’s voice trembled with bitter re
Catherine, who had been watching silently from the corner, stepped forward, her voice trembling yet clear. “Your grandfather and I have known this secret for as long as we can remember. The key was hidden away to prevent its dark power from corrupting our bloodline. But if it falls into the wrong hands, if it is used to alter our fate, then nothing will ever be the same.” Lucas scoffed, his eyes narrowing. “And what makes you think that by fiddling with this key, you’ll bring him back? Damion I mean. Or that it won’t just damn us all?” Adrian’s voice was soft but unyielding. “Because I have no other choice. Every moment we delay, Damion’s fate slips further from our grasp. I’m not asking for blind faith—I’m asking for action.” Carmela’s tears flowed freely as she looked at him. “I just want him back, Adrian. I want to see him whole again. I’m tired of living in fear, in this endless cycle of lies and curses.” Adrian reached out, his hand hovering near hers. “I promise you, Carmela
Outside the Hospital After the commotion died down, Carmela slipped out of the hospital, her face a mask of sorrow and resolve. Lily joined her near a quiet courtyard outside, where the cool night air provided a small respite from the suffocating tension inside. “Carmela,” Lily said gently, her voice soft as she wrapped an arm around her friend, “what do we do now? How can we face all this?” Carmela stared into the darkness, her eyes glistening with tears. “I don’t know, Lily. I just… I can’t stop thinking about him. Every moment without Damion feels like an eternity of agony.” Lily squeezed her shoulder, her tone full of empathy. “I know, and I wish there was something I could say to make it all better. But right now, we have to believe that Adrian will do what he promised. That he’ll retrieve the key and fix this mess.” Carmela’s lips trembled as she tried to force a smile, but it faltered. “He said he would. But I can’t shake the fear that if the key falls into the wrong hand
“Lily, stop joking. The guy I had a one-night stand with, can’t possibly be my groom.” Carmela Blake paced her bedroom, the soft fabric of her wedding dress swishing with each nervous step. Her phone was pressed to her ear, and her best friend’s panicked tone did little to soothe her nerves. “Carmela, I’m fucking serious!” Lily’s voice was sharp. “You, think about it for me; tall, gray eyes, ridiculously rich and insanely hot. That’s Damion Blackwood from head to bottom. How many men like that do you think exist?” Carmela’s stomach flipped, knowing what her best friend was saying was true. “It’s just a coincidence,” she said weakly, though her voice wavered. “I mean, I didn’t even get his name that night, so…” “Exactly! You didn’t get his name, and now you’re marrying a guy who fits perfectly to the description. Now, tell me if that’s not suspicious.” Carmela stopped pacing, her fingers in between her teeth’s, she sank onto the edge of her bed, her gaze drifting to the glitterin
Outside the Hospital After the commotion died down, Carmela slipped out of the hospital, her face a mask of sorrow and resolve. Lily joined her near a quiet courtyard outside, where the cool night air provided a small respite from the suffocating tension inside. “Carmela,” Lily said gently, her voice soft as she wrapped an arm around her friend, “what do we do now? How can we face all this?” Carmela stared into the darkness, her eyes glistening with tears. “I don’t know, Lily. I just… I can’t stop thinking about him. Every moment without Damion feels like an eternity of agony.” Lily squeezed her shoulder, her tone full of empathy. “I know, and I wish there was something I could say to make it all better. But right now, we have to believe that Adrian will do what he promised. That he’ll retrieve the key and fix this mess.” Carmela’s lips trembled as she tried to force a smile, but it faltered. “He said he would. But I can’t shake the fear that if the key falls into the wrong hand
Catherine, who had been watching silently from the corner, stepped forward, her voice trembling yet clear. “Your grandfather and I have known this secret for as long as we can remember. The key was hidden away to prevent its dark power from corrupting our bloodline. But if it falls into the wrong hands, if it is used to alter our fate, then nothing will ever be the same.” Lucas scoffed, his eyes narrowing. “And what makes you think that by fiddling with this key, you’ll bring him back? Damion I mean. Or that it won’t just damn us all?” Adrian’s voice was soft but unyielding. “Because I have no other choice. Every moment we delay, Damion’s fate slips further from our grasp. I’m not asking for blind faith—I’m asking for action.” Carmela’s tears flowed freely as she looked at him. “I just want him back, Adrian. I want to see him whole again. I’m tired of living in fear, in this endless cycle of lies and curses.” Adrian reached out, his hand hovering near hers. “I promise you, Carmela
Leonard’s voice was steady as he spoke, “Carmela, we’ll find him. We’re following every lead, every signal. But right now, we must let the police handle Elena. They’re tracking her down, and from what I’ve heard, she’s already killed two officers. It appears someone is shielding her—someone with power, someone who wants to keep her actions hidden.”Carmela’s eyes widened in shock, “Killed two officers? Who could possibly protect someone like that?”Leonard shook his head, “We don’t know yet. But it’s clear that Elena is not acting alone. We must assume there’s a network behind her—an organization or perhaps even a faction within the Blackwood legacy that has its own agenda.”The gravity of Leonard’s words sank into Carmela like a stone. “Then why wasn’t I told any of this before? I deserve to know the truth!”Lucas scowled. “Because sometimes, the truth is too dangerous to reveal until it’s absolutely necessary. We’re all in the dark right now.”Carmela’s voice trembled with bitter re
The night had deepened into a nearly impenetrable darkness by the time the sirens began to wail outside the hospital’s perimeter. Rain fell in a fine, persistent drizzle, blurring the neon reflections on slick pavement and turning the air cold and heavy. Inside the hospital, however, the atmosphere was even heavier—a mingling of grief, dread, and a desperate need for answers. The news that Elena had attempted to harm Damion’s unconscious body, that she had already killed two police officers during her frantic escape, had set off a chain of events none of them could have foreseen. Now, as the police closed in, the night was rapidly becoming a maelstrom of chaos and betrayal.Carmela sat in a quiet, dimly lit room off the main corridor, her tear-streaked face illuminated only by the soft glow of a desk lamp. Her parents had been sent home, unable to face the gruesome revelations of the past hours. Only Lily remained by her side—a constant, albeit fragile, pillar of support—and Leonar
Adrian’s eyes shimmered with an emotion he rarely allowed himself to show. “I never wanted to hide, Carmela. I never wanted to keep the truth from you. But fate is cruel, and the curse has twisted our lives beyond repair. I promise you—I will do everything in my power to make it right. Just hold on a little longer.”The intensity in his voice, the raw vulnerability in his eyes, stirred something deep within Carmela. With a shaky cry, she nodded, “I’ll wait. I’ll wait as long as it takes.”A heavy silence fell once more as Adrian turned toward the door. “I’m leaving now,” he announced. “I must retrieve the key and set things right. My men will accompany me, and I will return with answers. Until then, do not lose hope.”With that, he stepped away from Carmela, his expression resolute yet haunted. His loyal aides gathered around him, and together they left the hospital, disappearing into the murky light of early morning.⸻Meanwhile, Inside the HospitalThe corridors were quiet after Adr
Adrian stepped closer, his presence magnetic and conflicted. “I never wanted to hide. I never wanted to be a secret—an abomination lurking in the shadows of our family’s disgrace. But the curse forced my hand. I would do what I think is necessary to protect our legacy, even if it meant sacrificing my own freedom.”Lucas, still standing by the doorway, glared at him. “Your protection came at the cost of Damion’s sanity, and now you expect us to accept that you’re going to fix everything with some magical key?”Adrian’s eyes flashed with bitter determination. “I know it sounds impossible. But I have to try. Every moment we delay is another moment lost. I’ll leave the hospital now with my men to retrieve the key and bring it back to its rightful place. Only then can we begin to reverse this cursed cycle.”Carmela’s voice broke through, laden with both despair and defiance. “So you’re saying that until the key is returned, Damion is… gone?”“I am here,” Adrian’s gaze dropped momentarily,
The hospital smelled of antiseptic and lingering fear. It had been hours since they’d found Damion—his body, at least—wandering aimlessly in the forest, his clothes tattered, his face hollow. His eyes had been vacant, unseeing, like a man whose mind had been completely shattered. It had taken three of Adrian’s men to restrain him, to drag him out of the depths of the wilderness before he could disappear forever. Now, he lay in a hospital bed, bound by restraints, machines beeping softly beside him, his unconscious form barely clinging to reality.The sterile hum of fluorescent lights and the rhythmic beep of heart monitors filled the hospital ward as Damion lay on a bed that, though pristine white, now seemed unbearably cold. His body—though it looked human to the untrained eye—moved with the mechanical precision of someone not fully in control of his own being. For hours, the doctors had worked tirelessly to stabilize him after his frantic escape from the cursed forest, but his con
As the day wore on, the search party dispersed once more into the depths of the forest, determined to follow every lead. Carmela, though heartbroken, refused to stay behind. With trembling determination, she joined one of the smaller teams, her eyes scanning every inch of the undergrowth for any sign of Damion. Every distant sound, every flicker of movement, sent her heart racing.Hours passed in grueling silence. The forest, ancient and indifferent, seemed to watch them with hidden eyes. The sun sank lower, painting the sky with bruised shades of purple and gold, while the cool night air crept in. The tension was thick, as if the very trees were whispering secrets of cursed destinies and lost souls.Then, just as darkness began to cloak the woods, Leonard’s voice came crackling over the radio. “Lucas, we have a positive signal near the northern ridge. It’s faint, but it’s there. We’re moving in.”Lucas’s tone was resolute. “Team Delta, converge on the ridge immediately. Carmela, sta
After another agonizing hour with no clear lead, Leonard’s radio buzzed with urgent static. “Lucas, you need to get back. There’s been an incident at the hospital.”Lucas’s expression darkened. “What kind of incident?”Leonard hesitated before replying, “They’ve reported that Damion’s body is still missing from the hospital. There’s no record of him being brought in for surgery. It’s as if he never existed.”“And we know whys that, right?” Carmela’s heart pounded in her ears. “So what does this mean anyways? That he’s truly gone…” she whispered, her voice trembling.Lucas clenched his jaw, forcing himself to focus. “Not gone. We have to assume he’s out there somewhere, even if his mind is fractured. We can’t give up now.”Catherine, who had remained quiet until now, stepped forward slowly. “My dear, listen,” she said softly, her tone full of sorrow. “Our family’s curse has been at work for centuries. The key, the power it holds—this isn’t just about wealth or authority. It’s a burden,