Chapter Fifty-three

Brenda’s heart pounded in her chest as she peered through the curtains, scanning the quiet compound outside the house. The familiar sights seemed distorted, shadows lurking in every corner. It had been days since her encounter with Alfred, and paranoia had taken hold of her every thought, and it had only grown stronger. She was certain he was responsible for the attack on their lives, and she saw him as a monstrous threat to her family. She had gone to see him, desperate to uncover the truth behind the attack that had nearly claimed her and Damien’s lives. But instead of finding answers, she had found confirmation of her worst fears. Alfred was the monster responsible for their torment. His eyes, once familiar and warm, now bared an unsettling darkness that chilled her to the bone.

Now, Brenda was a prisoner in her own home. She had refused to leave, even to attend her medical school. Her school had been neglected for days, and the weight of guilt tugged at her conscience. She knew he