The nights grew darker, and Caroline’s days blurred into one another, each an agonizing stretch of survival and strategy. Damon’s attention never wavered; he seemed to have developed a sixth sense for her movements, appearing whenever she dared to explore a new part of the castle or linger in conversation with the staff. His eyes held a possessive gleam that sent chills through her—she felt watched, guarded, as though he sensed her desire to break free and was constantly one step ahead.
Yet, despite his vigilance, Caroline’s spirit remained unbroken. In the moments she could slip away unnoticed, she revisited the hidden passages she’d mapped out in her mind, plotting and planning her route to freedom. The narrow, winding corridors beneath the castle were cold and damp, but they represente
