Sophia's eyes flicked to Luca for a second, something flickering there guilt, maybe pain then back to Damian.
"She was marked, Damian. Someone placed a bounty on her head the moment you brought her here.
You think I don't know what that means?"
Isabella frowned, trembling. "You're lying."
"I wish I was."
The words hung heavy.
The flames from the ruined cabin threw eerie shadows across Sophia's face, making her look like both a friend and an enemy in the same heartbeat.
Damian took a slow step forward.
"Who sent you the order?"
Sophia hesitated just enough for Damian to know she was torn.
Then, softly: "Your father."
The silence that followed felt like thunder.
Isabella's breath caught.
"What?"
Sophia's hand trembled slightly now. "He reached out two weeks ago.
I thought it was a fake until I saw the seal. He said if I didn't hand Isabella over quietly, he'd come for all of us.
My family, luca and you."
Luca cursed under his breath.
