The room still echoed with the remnants of Charlotte’s fury as she stormed out, her footsteps loud against the polished floors. Logan immediately reached out, calling after her. “Charlotte! Wait! Please!”But Charlotte didn’t even glance back. Her anger, her pain, and her sense of betrayal propelled her forward like a whirlwind, leaving Logan struggling to keep pace. He knew this wasn’t just anger—it was a lifetime of suppressed hurt, betrayal, and the immense weight of everything that had just happened: the kidnapping, the bomb, the deceit of her family, and the constant threat Damien posed.By the time they reached the car, Charlotte was visibly trembling, not from cold but from a mixture of rage and the emotional exhaustion that had overtaken her. Her eyes, still wet from unshed tears, stared into the cityscape, her mind racing with thoughts she could barely articulate.“Charlotte…” Logan’s voice was low and gentle now, trying to reach her through the storm inside her. “You’re

Charlotte had barely settled into their new home when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw Selena’s name flashing insistently. A small shiver ran down her spine, though she tried to appear calm as she picked up the call.“Charlotte, I’ve been meaning to tell you something,” Selena’s voice came through, bright and almost jubilant, but with a hint of urgency. “Your birthday is coming up, and I want you to celebrate it properly… as twins. I want it to be grand, unforgettable.”Charlotte paused for a moment, processing the words carefully. “You want to celebrate it… as twins?” she asked, curiosity mingling with a touch of caution. Her mind raced. Was this just an elaborate party, or was Selena trying to assert some subtle control over her?“Yes!” Selena said eagerly, as though anticipating Charlotte’s hesitation. “I’ve thought about this a lot, and it has to be special. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve already put everything in place—a huge hall in Gelrith City, decorations,

Selena chuckled softly when Charlotte mentioned the cost of the wine, waving her hand as though the matter were insignificant, almost laughable. Her movement was fluid, practiced, the kind that suggested she was entirely at ease in this setting.“That’s nothing,” Selena said lightly, her voice smooth and reassuring. “Compared to what today means, the price doesn’t matter at all. A birthday like this deserves color, beauty, and memories.” She paused, her gaze lingering on Charlotte’s face. “And more than that, I needed you to know how special you are to me.”Charlotte studied her sister, searching for any sign of exaggeration or hidden intent. Instead, she found only calm composure and what appeared to be sincerity.“You mean that?” Charlotte asked quietly, surprise edging her voice.Selena nodded slowly, deliberately. “Of course I do. We’ve lost so much time, Charlotte. Years that we can never get back.” Her expression softened, and for a moment, something like regret flickered

Charlotte was carried into the dimly lit room like a limp doll. Her body sagged in the arms of the men, utterly unresponsive, her chest barely rising and falling with shallow breaths. They dropped her onto the bed with a thud, and the mattress creaked under her weight. Her hair sprawled across the pillow, hiding her face, and for all intents and purposes, she seemed completely unaware of the world around her.One of the men pulled out a phone, dialing quickly. “Boss,” he barked. “She’s here. She can’t move… or fight back. Come over and do what you planned.”A pause, then a voice on the other end acknowledged. The men shifted, their own unease momentarily visible, though Charlotte remained unconscious and unaware, lying limp on the bed.Within minutes, Damien entered. The click of his boots against the floor announced his arrival. He stopped in the doorway, his eyes scanning Charlotte’s prone form. A cruel smirk spread across his face.“So this is Charlotte,” he murmured to himself

As soon as Logan and Charlotte stepped out of the room and into the long hallway that led outside the building, Selena caught sight of them from across the hall.Her heart skipped violently in her chest, the sudden jolt almost stealing her breath. She froze mid-step, one heel hovering above the polished floor, her body locking in place as her eyes narrowed and fixed on their retreating backs. For a split second, she wondered if exhaustion or shock was playing tricks on her vision.But no.It was them.Logan’s broad frame was unmistakable, his arm securely around Charlotte’s shoulders, his body angled protectively toward her as they moved with urgency and purpose. Charlotte leaned slightly into him, her posture unsteady, her head lowered, and her movements stiff with shock. She was shaken—but she was upright.That wasn’t how things were supposed to end.Selena’s mind spiraled violently, thoughts crashing into one another in rapid succession. Damien had promised her that everything