The morning sunlight barely filtered through the thick grey clouds that hung over the Hawthorne estate. Scarlett sat on the edge of her bed, her thoughts racing. The weight of Daniel’s transfer news to Stormhaven University sat heavily on her chest. She knew the city would only bring them closer to the Mercers, closer to James, and closer to the chaos she had worked so hard to avoid.
She stared at the letter that Daniel had left on her nightstand, the university’s embossed crest mocking her. No matter how much she tried to convince herself that this time would be different, Scarlett knew better. History had a cruel way of repeating itself, and the thought of Daniel walking straight into the lion’s den filled her with dread.
“Scarlett!” Daniel’s voice echoed from downstairs, jolting her f
