Chapter 14:
Christmas morning arrived without celebration.
The city was wrapped in snow.
Church bells echoed through downtown Dallas.
Families exchanged gifts.
Children laughed.
But inside Hunter Estate…
Silence reigned.
⸻
Emily stood in front of the enormous Christmas tree in the grand living room.
The presents beneath it remained untouched.
Lily slowly walked downstairs.
“Weren’t we supposed to decorate the tree together?”
Emily forced a smile.
“We did.”
Lily looked at the ornaments.
“I meant with Zach.”
Emily’s smile faded.
“So did I.”
⸻
Just then…
The front door opened.
Zach stepped inside.
He had been released on bail after Detective Reed presented evidence that the prison attack had been a targeted assassination attempt rather than an escape attempt.
The momen
