OliviaSoft, muted light streamed through the sheer curtains, casting elongated patterns across the floor of the cozy living space.The room’s warm, neutral colors, reminiscent of the beach that lay not far from our villa, usually soothed my restless soul. But today was different. Today, each step I took resonated with guilt, fear, and an encroaching sense of helplessness.I paced back and forth, wrestling with the tumultuous emotions coursing through me.Elliot, my heart, the center of my universe, had been the target of Ryan’s demands. How could I ever hand over my son? Yet, the destruction outside, the chaos that was beginning to unfurl – could I truly say it wasn’t my fault? Was this only the start of Ryan’s reign of terror?With every footstep, I felt the echoes of doubt reverberating through my soul.Ryan was merely testing the waters, gauging my reactions. I knew him well enough to recognize the predatory glint in his eyes.He was playing with us, and the terrifying realization
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