at had once symbolized power now feeling suffocating. Her chest was tight, constricted by a truth she couldn't escape. Lucien's family, the Th

was a message from an unknown number, no name atta

ad he found her so soon? Or was it someone

l like a warning. It f

had used her as a pawn, Lucien had used her as a tool, and now, even

r interrupted her

ling?" a v

her father's

wered, trying

ike to speak with yo

ated. It wasn

r father's estate, her mind swirling with too many questions. She

-

skyline. His fingers drummed idly against the smooth surface of the desk

as still in control. Calysta was gone. His empire,

ooked at him when she left. It was as if she had seen right through h

e hat

aid from the doorway, his voice low. "You've mad

for this to happen. She was supposed to

ou gave her everything you never wanted anyone to have. And now she's not just

ened. "Don't speak

the truth. You let your emotions

omething dangerous. But it passed quickly. He ran a hand through his hair, frust

not alone in this," Erik said. "The

he regret, or something else-something deeper-that urged him to finally move

-

an the last. She had not seen him like this in years-his back was to her,

e?" she said, her voice

re colder than she remembered, but the weariness in his gaze told a

a mistake," h

made a mistake? I'm the one who's been

a pawn in this game? He's not. You never asked the right

anger bubbling beneath the surface. "What w

Lucien... both of you were born into this. To fix things that should never have been broken. The Thorne f

t war with them this entire time?

d, his voice cold now, but with a touch of something unspoken. "You

her heart sink

oment, she saw something in him that she

"Lucien is just a player in a much larger game. But you, you were always mean

of the legacy her father had been building for decades.

no

out love or betrayal.

-

move. He couldn't wait any longer. The stakes were too hig

t and headed for the door,

that Calys

d out the game

ch had she been