Chapter 22

Anna's POV

The sun cast a warm golden glow over the tranquil morning as I sat on the porch, sipping my coffee and watching the gentle sway of the trees. It was a peaceful moment, a rare respite from the whirlwind of life that had consumed us lately.

Victor emerged from the house, his eyes heavy with exhaustion. He joined me on the porch, his presence bringing a comforting warmth to the crisp morning air.

"Good morning," I whispered, reaching out to squeeze his hand.

He managed a faint smile, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Morning, Anna."

Silence settled between us, the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air. We had been through so much together, our bond tested time and again, but nothing could have prepared us for the tragedy that was about to unfold.

As if sensing the heaviness of the moment, Victor turned to me, his eyes filled with a mixture of love and sadness. "Anna, I need to tell you something," he said, his voice trembling.

I felt a surge of apprehension course through