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Chapter 13: Silent Rebellion

Author: Chipri
last update Last Updated: 2025-01-28 04:48:25

The Vanclair mansion’s library was a mausoleum of leather-bound books and unspoken secrets. Stephanie sat stiffly in a wingback chair, her fingers tracing the gilded edge of a family photo album Leon had forced her to display for that afternoon’s “casual” interview with a society magazine. The interviewer had left an hour ago, charmed by Leon’s rehearsed anecdotes about “marital bliss,” but the cloying scent of his cologne still clung to the air.

“Smile wider,” he’d whispered through gritted teeth when the photographer raised his lens. *“Or I’ll cancel your obstetric appointment next week.”

She’d obeyed, her cheeks aching.

Now, alone, she reached for the locket at her throat—a cheap silver heart she’d owned since childhood, the only thing the Vanclairs hadn’t confiscated. Inside, she’d hidden a slip of paper with Jake’s latest instructions: Meet me at the boathouse. Midnight.

The locket snapped shut as the library door creaked open.

“Still here?” Leon lingered in the doorway, hi
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