He pressed his forehead against mine, his voice rough but gentle. “That’s life, Danica. No matter how big something feels, it’s not bigger than you. You hear me? There’s no problem you can’t get through.”
His hand squeezed mine. “And you’re not doing it alone. You’ve got me. I’ll get you through anything. I swear.”
Back then… I believed him.
I really did but now I knew the truth. That nightmare… that pain… it started because of him.
...
The helicopter sound pulled me back to the present. I looked up, my eyes narrowing slightly. For a second, I thought I was imagining it.
But I wasn’t.
It landed right next door.
Another mansion.
Identical.
My chest tightened.
The ring in my hand buzzed faintly, and his voice came through.
“Shannon,” Felix said, calm, almost soft in a way I hadn’t heard in a long time, “you didn’t get to leave the villa before. But I’ve got something for you now. This place… it’s yours. Your anniversary gift.”
I stopped breathing.
“I’ll stay here with you today,” he added quietly.
Shannon laughed, bright and happy, like she’d just been handed the world.
At the same time, my phone lit up.