Chapter Eighteen

Sometimes, the heart wants to do what’s right… but the world doesn’t play fair.Writing this chapter shattered me in so many ways. Estela’s quiet desperation, Paisley’s innocence, Mia’s twisted schemes—it all came crashing together like a storm you can’t outrun.This story isn’t about heroes or villains. It’s about choices. About what we’re willing to risk for the ones we love… and the darkness we might step into along the way.Thank you for reading this far and for feeling every heartbeat with me.Hold on tight. The storm has just begun.— Maralto