599 “Darwin.” The voice was soft but unmistakable. Darwin looked up to see Lady Margaret standing at the top of the stairs. Her face was pale, her hand trembling against the banister as she stared down at him. For a moment, neither of them spoke. “Lady Margaret,” Darwin said finally, the words sl
600 “Then we’ll tear it down together,” she said firmly, though her tears continued to fall. “We’ll find a way. I don’t care how long it takes.” Darwin’s gaze flickered toward her, searching her face for a long beat. He didn’t respond, and the silence that followed felt heavier than the air itself
601 The next morning dawned gray and muted, the kind of day where the air felt heavy with unspoken words. Darwin hadn’t slept much—he doubted Margaret had either. His mind had been restless, haunted by shadows of the past and echoes of conversations he wasn’t ready to have. He descended the stairs
602 Darwin laughed bitterly, leaning back in his chair. “You know what’s funny? You act like I’m the one who doesn’t understand, but you’re the one sitting here pretending everything’s fine.” “I’m not pretending,” Margaret replied softly, though her voice wavered. “I know it’s not fine. I know it’
603 “Good work, Thomas,” Darwin muttered, stepping closer. “I’ll take it from here.” Thomas handed him the reins, his eyes flickering with nervousness as Darwin mounted the horse. “Be careful, sir,” he said, his voice almost timid. “Blaze is fast when he wants to be.” Darwin pulled the reins gent
604 Darwin froze, his chest heaving. “Protect me? From what?” His voice wavered between anger and desperation, the edges fraying like an old rope. He couldn’t take it anymore—the half-truths, the cryptic words, the suffocating lack of clarity. Margaret pressed a trembling hand to her lips, as thou
605 Margaret shook her head, desperation in her voice. “Darwin, I’m not running. You have to trust me. Just… give me a little more time.” Darwin’s laugh was harsh and humorless, like a blade scraping against stone. “Time? You’ve had days. Weeks, even. And every time I ask you for answers, you give
606 “James shifted, clearly torn between his loyalty to Margaret and his own discomfort under Darwin’s intense gaze. He opened his mouth as though to speak but quickly closed it again, glancing toward the door Margaret had disappeared through moments before. Darwin’s eyes narrowed dangerously, his
“Yes, you do,” he said firmly. “This isn’t about what you think you deserve. It’s about doing what’s right. And letting you waste away in this cell isn’t right.” Zoe’s hands trembled as she reached for the check, her fingers brushing against his. When she finally took it, she stared at it for a lo
668 Final The quiet night air carried a chill as Darwin made his way toward the old estate where Zoe was being held. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale glow over the gravel path. Each step felt heavier than the last, his thoughts swirling with memories of Zoe—the laughter they once share
667 The cool evening breeze swept over them as they exited the facility. The tension of the confrontation still lingered, though the small taste of justice had given everyone a fleeting sense of relief. Lady Margaret walked ahead of the group, her usual poise masking the storm brewing within her. D
Julius’s lips parted, but no words came. "Answer me!" she snapped. "I—" he stammered, his voice trembling. "I didn’t mean to—" The slap came before he could finish, her gloved hand connecting with his cheek in a resounding crack. "You didn’t mean to?" she repeated, her tone dripping with dis
666 The tension in the air was palpable as Lady Margaret, Darwin, William, James, Dencia, and Mia stepped into the observation chamber. Beyond the reinforced glass, Julius and Harrison Blackwood sat shackled to their chairs in the interrogation room. Blackwood, tall and imposing even in chains, l
William flinched at her words but didn’t argue. Instead, he gave a small nod, his expression a mixture of guilt and regret. --- When they arrived at the facility, it loomed over them like a fortress. High walls surrounded the compound, and armed guards patrolled the perimeter. The air was cold an
665 The following morning, Lady Margaret stood in the grand foyer of the Blackwood estate, her figure composed but radiating authority. She had summoned Darwin, William, and James for what was to be a defining day. The air in the room was heavy with tension, the weight of what lay ahead pressing do
664 Darwin made his way through the dimly lit corridors of the mansion, the weight of the day pressing heavily on his shoulders. The halls were quiet, save for the faint crackling of a distant fire and the muted hum of wind outside. His thoughts churned as he approached the chambers he had prepared
663 Lady Margaret sat in her private quarters, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to compose herself. The events of the day—William’s shocking return, Darwin’s desperate pleas, and the tidal wave of emotions that came with it—had left her drained. She stared out of the window at the darkened