Elizabeth swallowed hard, remembering the man who had taken her years ago. "There was... another man. I was younger then, barely able to understand what was happening. He took me when I was still a child, and that's when all of this truly began. Even now, I don't know where he is or why he did what he did, but his actions started everything. Nick only made it worse."
Silence fell between them as Adrian absorbed her story. He leaned back, nodding slowly as he took in the weight of what she'd told him. "You've been through a lot," he said, his tone respectful but grave. "Far more than anyone should ever have to endure."
Elizabeth shrugged slightly, the pain still raw even after all these years. "I learned early on that trust is dangerous, that even family can turn on you. It's hard t
