Lahat ng Kabanata ng He Chose His Step Mother, I Chose His Uncle: Kabanata 161 - Kabanata 170

I stare at Deckard, my skin crawling with a mixture of disgust and genuine, cold-blooded fear. He’s moving around the dining table with a terrifying level of domestic precision, smoothing out the linen napkins and adjusting the silverware as if we’re about to have a lovely Sunday brunch instead of a

The room is bathed in a warm, amber glow that should be romantic but feels more like the lighting of hell. A slow melody drifts from the speakers, and Deckard stands before me, holding out a glass of wine like it’s a peace offering rather than a prop in my kidnapping. "Drink, my love," he says soft

I’ve taken a few steps toward the car, my keys biting into my palm, when I hear a sound. It’s muffled, like someone trying to shout through a thick wool blanket. I freeze. My breath hitches, and I strain my ears, listening so hard it actually hurts. For a long, agonizing second, there’s nothing

The hum of the tires against the asphalt is the only thing grounding me right now. I’m huddled in the passenger seat of Owen’s car, still shivering so hard my teeth are doing a percussion solo. My head is throbbing where it met that sideboard, and my wrists are raw from the struggle, but strangely

Then, it happens. A piercing scream from one of the maids. "What was that?" Caroline gasps, her face going pale. I’m already on my feet, heart racing—not with fear, but with the thrill of a plan coming together. "It sounded like it came from Grandmother’s room! Hurry!" I follow Caroline as she