~Darius's POV ~
Everyone looks mortified.
It's almost funny how quickly they believe me. Like it's the most natural thing in the world for Nicholas Rassais to just… rise from the dead.
"No. No, no, no."
Mum shoots to her feet, shaking her head violently. Kalliope and Dimitris are instantly at her sides, trying to steady her in case she faints or throws something. She's staring at me like I've just spoken blasphemy.
"What are you saying?" Her voice cracks, sharp with disbelief.
The rest of them just stare, waiting for me to keep talking.
I take a slow breath and glance at Abigail. She looks shocked, but she's clutching my wine bottle like her life depends on it. That earns a low chuckle from me before I continue.
"He was stalking me," I say flatly. "And when I went after him, he sent armed men after me."
"When was this?" Philemon's voice cuts through the murmurs, calm but deadly serious like a man trying to make sense of a nightmare.
