Lena woke on the cold marble floor.
Not in her bed.
Not in Alex’s arms.
On the floor.
Alone.
For a moment she didn’t know where she was.
Then the memories came back like smoke filling her lungs.
The fire.
The lighter.
The message.
You didn’t survive by accident.
She pushed herself up slowly. The nursery door was open. Morning light poured through the windows, too bright, too normal.
Alex stood near the balcony, phone pressed to his ear.
“Lock the gates,” he was saying. “No one leaves. No one enters. I don’t care who calls.”
He turned when he sensed she was awake.
Their eyes met.
Different now.
Cautious.
Studying.
As if both of them were trying to figure out whether the other was a weapon.
“How much do you remember?” he asked quietly.
Lena swallowed.
“Enough.”
That wa
