The night had settled over their home like a velvet curtain, the soft hum of the city outside barely audible. Inside, the air was thick with tension, a storm waiting to break. William paced near the living room, his eyes narrowing as he saw the shadowed figure in the doorway.
Sophia.
She stepped inside boldly, heels clicking against the wooden floor, voice dripping with false sweetness. “William… I thought you might resist me, but I see… I underestimated how much you wanted her.”
Elisse, standing near the sofa, stiffened. Her heart raced—not from fear of William, but from the audacity of Sophia, intruding into their sanctuary. William’s gaze didn’t waver from Sophia, but he didn’t move toward her threateningly. Every muscle in his body radiated control, his focus entirely on protecting
