The Forever Blaze [3]

P R O LO U G E

The mirror slipped from Sophie's hands, landing on the petal-covered carpet with the softest thud.

Both sides of the glass survived the crash without cracking. But inside, Sophie shattered.

She kept a smile plastered across her lips as she listened to the rest of the story, searching for the tiniest detail or clue that would rule out the terrifying possibility.

But by the end she knew.

All this time.

All these wasted, hopeless days.

Her kidnapper had been right in front of her.

Watching.

Waiting.

Hiding in plain sight.

All the signs had been there. She'd just been too blind to see them.

And now, it was too late.

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It couldn't be.

He had promised.

He had made a deal with her.

He was not supposed to be like this.

Dead.

That word plagued her.

She didn't want to hear it anymore. She just wanted him alive. Back with her. Safe with her.

She wanted the nightmare to just end.

To leave her.