Chapter 21: The Name She Cannot Escape
Damien’s gaze lingers on the portrait, his mind turning over a thousand possibilities. The photo is slightly dusty, tucked away on a corner wall, as if someone wanted it out of sight but couldn’t quite bring themselves to get rid of it. The woman in the photo is striking—dark, wavy hair cascading over one shoulder, deep-set green eyes that hold a quiet, haunting intensity. Beside her stands a man, tall and broad, his features sharp, his expression unreadable. And then there’s the girl between them. Elara. Much younger, barely in her teens, but undeniably her. Damien steps closer. His fingers ghost over the gilded frame, his mind working to connect the pieces. Something about this feels familiar. “Elara,” he calls, his voice quieter than usual, but firm. She’s still by the door, stand
- Writer
