t colder than u

ng on every wall, an unsettling chill lingered in the air. Alexander stood by the window, his gaze

ost in a house built for someone else. Every corner of this home whispered Elena's name - the photos that remained on the man

membered n

een them like a growing ch

aid, her voice soft, but the words s

on the storm, jaw tight, heart heavier

rts of the mind, shutting away unbearable memories. But deep down, a restless, unexplainable ache gnawed at her. Every time Alexander l

leave," Eva

tare sharp, almost dangerous

ft no room

orce that made the very air around him tense and electric. He was a man used to control, to people

rembling. "Why keep me here w

ront of her. The firelight cast sharp shadows across his chiseled

he said quietly. "And if you are Elena... if there's even a chance you're my

if I'

ropped lower. "You don't understand the kind of people I deal

her spine, not ent

e rang - a sharp, shrill sound that made them both flin

" he b

rackling voice filtered through.

issed. "The walls have ears,

ne wen

. He placed the phone dow

va asked, sensing

turned toward her, his expre

inked.

," Alexander s

ere are

no one ca

The sudden shift in energy made Eva's pulse quicken. She didn't understand what was happening, but

er him, her voice shaky. "W

The muscles in his shoulders tensed. When h

e you, Eva. And if they know you're ali

his words hung

ned. "But I don't e

ander said, his voice rough with emot

still lashing at the windshield. The mansion disappeared behind

her

est. Who was she? What life had she lived before waking up in that clini

did her soul ache wh

emory flicker

pi

elody in a sunlit room. Lau

ftly, clutchi

exander demanded

red something,"

tires skidding on the wet ro

" he asked urgently, hi

jasmine. I don't know what i

g hard. Jasmine had been Elena's favorite

her return, a spark of ho

," he murmured.

to a drizzle as the SUV took off again, leaving b

g from the shadows of the trees - a silhou

gure whispered into the

p of smoke, they van