chapter 8

I showed the text to Drea, my eyes locked on hers. "Who is this, Drea? Tell me the truth."

She paled, her lips trembling. "I...I don't know, Sorin. I swear."

I didn't believe her. She was hiding something, and I was determined to find out what.

I took her hand, my grip firm. "Come with me, Drea. We're going to get to the bottom of this."

I dragged her to my study, my mind racing with possibilities. Who was Adrian, and what did he want from Drea?

As we entered the study, I locked the door behind us. "Tell me everything, Drea. From the beginning."

She hesitated, her eyes darting around the room. Then, with a deep breath, she began to speak.

"Sorin, Adrian was...is...my ex-boyfriend. We were together for three years, but it ended badly. He was possessive, controlling...and violent."

My grip on her hand tightened. "Violent?"

Drea nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Yes, Sorin. He hurt me, physically and emotionally. I thought I was in love with him, but I was trapped."

My anger boiled