CHAPTER 46

The early morning light filtered through the blinds as Jessica sat at her kitchen table, sipping a cup of coffee that had long since gone cold. The events of the previous night played over and over in her mind, each detail etched into her memory with painful clarity. Her father’s words lingered like a shadow, his warning heavy on her heart.

She had barely slept, the weight of her predicament pressing down on her with relentless force. For the first time, Jessica felt completely alone. She had always known that her father was ruthless, but seeing it firsthand, feeling the cold edge of his control, was something she hadn’t been prepared for. And now, she was trapped in a web of her own making, unable to see a way out.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone vibrating on the table. Jessica glanced at the screen and saw Philip’s name flashing. Her heart skipped a beat, the familiar mix of emotions swirling inside her. She hesitated for a moment, then picked up the call.

“J