Darkness swallowed the estate.
The sudden blackout silenced everything, the hum of security systems, the soft classical music from the baby monitor, even the low whir of the refrigerator in the kitchen.
Then, just beneath the silence, came the static crackle.
Followed by her voice.
"Miss me?"
Talia's heart stopped.
Ethan was already reaching for her, pulling her close, shielding her body instinctively. Luna, cradled in Talia's arms, let out a sleepy whimper. Zane stirred in the hallway, blinking up at the sudden dark.
"Elijah," Ethan barked sharply, voice cutting through the tension. "Generator. Now."
"I'm on it!" Elijah's voice echoed from the study, followed by the hurried sound of footsteps down the hallway.
But Talia wasn't listening anymore.
Mia looked scared but tries to calm her down
She was frozen, not from fear, but from the weight of that voice. Vanessa's voice. Inside their home. Again.
