CHAPTER 48

Jessica drove through the darkened streets, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. The encounter with her father’s man had left her shaken, and the thought of what lay ahead filled her with dread. She had always known that her father was a controlling, manipulative man, but the reality of his power over her life was becoming more apparent with each passing day.

As she approached her father’s estate, a sprawling mansion on the outskirts of the city, Jessica felt a chill run down her spine. The tall iron gates loomed ahead, their black metal twisted into intricate designs that gave the place an almost gothic appearance. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves as she pulled up to the gate.

The guard on duty stepped out of the small booth and gave her a nod before pressing a button that caused the gates to slowly swing open. Jessica drove through, the gravel crunching under her tires as she made her way up the long driveway. The mansion stood at the top of a small hill