Estella’s POV:
The moon hung heavy that night, a perfect silver coin in a sea of black. I had been watching it for hours, knowing that once it reached its peak, I’d have to face him.
Darius.
My curse. My salvation. I still didn’t know which was true.
I stood before the mirror, combing my hair one last time. My reflection looked back with a mix of pity and resolve. My fingers trembled as I zipped my jacket, tugging free the strands caught beneath the collar. Even after his harsh words, the distance, the lie, my heart still clung to hope like a fool. Hoping for something, anything, that could undo this impossible knot between us.
But hope wasn’t enough.
Bella had barely spoken to me since our fight. When she did, her voice was clipped, brittle, but I could feel the ache beneath her cal
