Unbeknownst to us, Mason had been passing through the forest and stopped at the edge of the clearing, drawn by the sound of our voices. Hidden in the shadows, he listened to every word, his heart sinking as he heard Stephanie pour out her fears.
Sylvester moved closer, wrapping an arm around me. “We understand your fear, Steph, but we’re not going to let them hurt you. They don’t have that power over you or us. Not anymore.”
I nodded, leaning into his embrace, but the anxiety still gnawed at me. “I just don’t want to be a pawn in their game. I want to be free, with you three.”
Mason’s chest tightened with guilt and frustration as he overheard the conversation. He realized how much danger Stephanie felt she was in, partly due to his family’s twisted dynamics. He knew he couldn’t stand id
