The first crack of thunder split the sky as Flora stepped out of the children's hospital, umbrella barely holding against the wind.
Rain lashed sideways.
Her driver waved from the curb. “Miss Monroe—!"
She nodded, quickening her pace—
The black limousine screeched to a halt.
Men in black surged forward. Ellis's name died on her lips.
A needle stabbed her neck.
Her scream never made it past her throat.
---
She woke to silence.
No monitors. No hum of machines.
Only rain, tapping the windows like impatient fingers.
Her wrists ached—velvet restraints.
She blinked hard.
The room was elegant. Familiar.
Darley Mansion. Cliff-side wing.
Locked.
The door opened with a hiss.
Jonathan stepped in, hair damp, expression unreadable.
Flora sat up slowly. “You kidnapped me."
“I'm prote
