437 “Darwin, is it true?” she asked after a pause, her voice barely above a whisper. “Is Harrison really behind it?” Darwin’s jaw tightened, the weight of the truth pressing down on him like a vice. “Dencia, listen to me,” he said, forcing his voice to remain steady. “Don’t believe everything you

439 Already dressed for the day, Darwin stepped out of the house. The air was filled with the steady clamor of construction as workers continued their repairs. Lady Wettin and James were nowhere to be seen, giving him an unobstructed path to the driveway where his sleek Audi awaited. Sliding into t

441 “Stop—stop it!” Darwin yelled, trying to shake free, his fists slamming into Zayne’s chest in a futile attempt to break free. He twisted his body, trying to get a kick in, but the brothers were too strong, too fast. “I didn’t do anything to you! What do you want from me?!” Zayne’s expression t

443 The third brother, the firstborn and most brutal of the Oakbars, stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with a cruel fire. He cracked his knuckles, a sick grin spreading across his face as he loomed over Darwin. “Ready for a little chat?” he sneered, his voice dripping with menace. Darwin winced,

445 “Darwin, please,” Zoe’s voice came again, strained and edged with desperation. Her fingers twisted nervously, nails digging crescents into her palms as she struggled to keep her composure. “You don’t understand what they’ll do.” Darwin managed a weary smile, one that spoke of memories and mome