Chapter 307

I couldn’t breathe. The air felt heavy, the hall too big, my knees weak. Right before me, my world burned.

The way Alexa held Nico—like pressing against him was the most natural thing, like she’d never left, like she knew she’d always find a home with him—twisted my stomach. My heart pounded so hard it hurt, yet my feet were rooted to the floor.

The hall was silent, save for harsh whispers from a bristling Maya, held back by Derinem. Even the music had stopped.

Alexa looked perfect, as always, like she’d stepped out of a painting. Her white dress clung to her curves, her wide eyes glistening with tears that were probably fake.

“I’m sorry,” she sobbed into Nico’s shoulder. “I understand now. I’m so sorry, Nico. I was too ashamed to come back. But I can’t live without you…”

Too ashamed? I remembered how rested she’d looked in her mansion the week the children were kidnapped.

Nico hadn’t moved. His hands hovered at his sides, not touching her—but he