The following morning, Ashley woke to a muted sunrise filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Her body still ached, but the pain was less intense, and her mind felt clearer. She shifted slightly, careful not to disturb Amelia, who was curled up beside her, still fast asleep.The events of the previous night played through her mind, a tangled web of fear, anger, and confusion. Victor’s plan to escape the city offered a sliver of hope, but it was fraught with uncertainty. Trusting a stranger, especially one with ties to the criminal underworld, was dangerous. But staying put was even riskier.Ashley sighed softly, the weight of her situation pressing down on her. She couldn’t afford to let her emotions cloud her judgment. Every decision from this point on had to be calculated, precise, with no room for error.Her thoughts were interrupted by the quiet creak of the door opening. Jackson stepped inside, his gaze immediately falling on Ashley. He gave her a small
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