Jul 23, 2026
· 10 chapters
"He thought he could throw her away like trash. He didn't know the man living upstairs owned the building, the city, and every single bullet with Derek's name on it."
Chapter 1 - The Smoke and the ShadowsThe boiling water on Caroline’s stove finally hissed its last breath as it sputtered over the rim, extinguishing the flame with a sharp, hissing gasp. A thin cloud of steam drifted upward, carrying the smell of scorched starch and burnt potential. But Caroline didn't move. She remained crumpled on the kitchen floor,
