Elara's POV
Vivienne's screams echoed through the entire house.
MRS. ASHFORD! MR. ASHFORD! YOUR SON IS A MONSTER!
Adrian stood between me and Mira, blocking the door like a prison guard. His calm expression hadn't changed, even as chaos erupted below.
You should have left when I gave you the chance, he said to Mira.
And you should be in jail, Mira shot back.
Heavy footsteps thundered up the stairs. Dad's voice boomed through the hallway: WHAT IS GOING ON UP HERE?
Adrian sighed, like we were all being dramatic. Family drama. You know how it is.
The door burst open. Dad stood there, his face red with fury and confusion. Mom was right behind him, still in her bathrobe, mascara streaked down her face from last night's crying.
Vivienne pushed between them, pointing at Adrian with a shaking finger. Tell them! Tell them what you said to her last night!
Vivienne, calm down, Dad said. Everyone just calm down and
He's in love with Elara! Vivienne shrieked. He cornered her in her bedroom and told her he's been waiting for this! That now that she's not his real sister, he can finally have her!
The silence that followed was deafening.
Mom's hand flew to her mouth. No. No, that's not, Adrian, tell her she's wrong.
Adrian looked at his mother with unsettling calmness. Why would I lie?
Oh my God, Mom whispered.
Dad's face went from red to white. Adrian. My study. Right now.
Of course, Father. Adrian turned to me, and his eyes held a promise. I'll be back soon. Don't go anywhere.
It wasn't a suggestion.
He left with Dad, and the moment they were gone, I collapsed against the wall. My legs wouldn't hold me anymore.
Mom rushed over, grabbing my shoulders. Did he hurt you? Did he touch you? Sweetheart, tell me what happened.
I told you what happened! Vivienne shouted. I saw him! Last night, after everyone left, I heard voices in Elara's room. When I opened the door, he had her trapped against her desk, touching her face, saying disgusting things about loving her
That's enough, Vivienne, Mom said sharply. But her hands were shaking on my shoulders. Elara, is this true?
I nodded, unable to speak.
Mira stepped forward. Mrs. Ashford, your son has been systematically abusing Elara for years. Controlling her life, destroying her relationships, isolating her. And now he's escalated to open threats and stalking. She needs to leave this house. Today.
Who are you? Mom asked.
Her friend from Paris. The one person in her life your son hasn't managed to destroy yet. Mira's voice was hard. And I'm taking her with me when I leave.
You're not taking her anywhere, Mom said, but her voice lacked conviction. She looked at me with devastated eyes. Is what Mira said true? Has Adrian been... controlling you?
Yes, I whispered.
Mom's face crumpled. Oh, sweetheart. I didn't know. I thought he was just protective, I didn't realize—
Vivienne laughed bitterly. You didn't realize because you didn't want to see it. You were too busy doting on your fake daughter to notice your real son is a psychopath.
Vivienne, that's not fair, Mom said.
ISN'T IT? Vivienne's voice rose. I come here yesterday thinking I'm finally going to meet my real family, and instead I walk into a nightmare! You people are insane! All of you!
From downstairs, we heard Dad's voice rising. YOU WILL NOT THREATEN THIS FAMILY!
And Adrian's calm response: Then don't try to keep me from what's mine.
Something crashed. Glass breaking.
Mom flinched. I should go down there.
Don't, I said quickly. Mom, please. Just listen to me. Adrian isn't who you think he is. He's dangerous.
He's my son
He's obsessed with me! My voice cracked. He's known about the baby swap for seven years and never told anyone because he wanted to wait until I wasn't legally his sister anymore. He's been planning this. All of this.
Mom stared at me like I was speaking a foreign language.
More shouting from downstairs. Adrian's voice, louder now: I OWN FORTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THIS COMPANY! YOU NEED ME MORE THAN I NEED YOU!
Dad's roar: GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!
IT'S MY HOUSE TOO!
A door slammed so hard the walls shook.
Footsteps on the stairs. Fast. Angry.
Adrian appeared in my doorway, and his calm mask was completely gone. His hair was disheveled, his jaw tight, and there was something wild in his eyes I'd never seen before.
Pack your things, he said to me.
Everyone stared at him.
What? I whispered.
Pack. Your. Things. He took a step into the room. We're leaving. Both of us. Right now.
She's not going anywhere with you, Mira said, moving in front of me.
Adrian barely glanced at her. Move.
Make me.
Dad appeared behind Adrian, breathing hard. Adrian, you need to calm down. We're going to get you help
I don't need help! Adrian spun to face him. I need everyone to stop treating me like I'm crazy for loving someone! She's not my sister! She never was! Why can't any of you understand that?
Because you're talking about a girl you've known since she was a baby! Dad's voice shook. A girl you helped raise! A girl who trusted you! This isn't love, son. This is obsession, and it's wrong!
It's not wrong, Adrian said, quieter now. Dangerous. And I'm not leaving without her.
He moved toward me. Mira grabbed his arm.
What happened next was so fast I almost missed it.
Adrian's hand shot out and grabbed Mira's wrist, twisting it sharply. She cried out in pain. He shoved her backward, and she stumbled into Mom.
DON'T TOUCH HER! I screamed.
Adrian's eyes locked onto mine. Then come with me. Willingly. Or I'll make everyone in this room regret trying to keep us apart.
Adrian! Dad lunged forward, but Adrian was faster. He grabbed me, pulling me against him with one arm around my waist.
Let her go! Mom cried.
Not until you all understand. Adrian's voice was calm again, terrifyingly calm. His arm tightened around me. Elara belongs with me. She's mine. She's always been mine. And I'll burn this entire family to the ground before I let any of you take her from me.
You're hurting her! Vivienne shouted.
Adrian looked down at me. Am I hurting you?
His grip was firm but not painful. That was the worst part—he was holding me like a lover, not a prisoner. Like this was romantic instead of terrifying.
Please, I whispered. Please let me go.
Something flickered in his eyes. Pain? Regret?
Then it was gone.
No, he said simply. I've let you go too many times. Watched you walk away. Given you space. And look where it got us—you trying to run, surrounded by people who want to separate us.
Dad moved slowly into the room, hands raised like he was approaching a wild animal. Son, you need to release her. Right now. We can talk about this. Get you help. But you need to let Elara go.
I can't. Adrian's voice cracked slightly. Don't you understand? If I let her go, she'll leave. She'll run to Paris or Vancouver or the other side of the world, and I'll never get her back. I can't survive that.
Then you'll have to learn, Dad said firmly. Because this ends now.
He reached for me.
Adrian's other hand moved to his pocket and pulled out a small knife—the one he used to open packages in his office.
Everyone froze.
Adrian, no, Mom breathed.
I won't hurt her, Adrian said quickly. I would never hurt her. But I will hurt myself if you try to take her from me. I'll slit my own throat right here, and the last thing Elara will see is my blood on her hands because you all pushed me to this.
The blade pressed against his own neck.
Oh my God, Vivienne whispered.
Mom started crying. Baby, please. Please put the knife down.
Let us leave, Adrian said. Let me take Elara somewhere we can talk, just the two of us, without all of you poisoning her mind against me. Give me one chance to make her understand. And if she still wants to leave after that, I'll let her go.
You're lying, Mira said.
I'm not. Adrian's eyes found mine. Elara, do you believe me? Have I ever lied to you about important things?
The awful truth was—outside of hiding the baby swap—he hadn't. Adrian was brutally honest. Terrifyingly so.
I don't know what to believe anymore, I whispered.
Believe that I love you more than anyone else in this world ever could. The knife trembled against his throat. Believe that I would rather die than lose you. Believe that I'm giving you a choice right now: come with me and let me prove my love is real, or watch me bleed out on this floor because I can't exist in a world where you hate me.
That's not a choice, Dad said. That's manipulation.
That's desperation, Adrian corrected. He looked at me with eyes that were both pleading and possessive. Choose, Elara. Us, or my death. Your call.
My whole body shook. He meant it. I could see it in his eyes—if I refused, he would do it. He would kill himself right here, and everyone would blame me.
Don't you dare guilt her like this, Mira said, her voice shaking with rage.
But Adrian ignored her. He only had eyes for me.
Choose, he whispered. Please.
The knife pressed harder. A thin line of blood appeared on his neck.
Mom screamed. Dad lunged forward.
And I heard my own voice, distant and broken, say the words that would seal my fate:
Okay. I'll come with you. Just put the knife down. Please.
Adrian smiled—relieved, triumphant, loving.
He lowered the knife.
And that's when Vivienne's phone camera flash went off.
She'd been recording everything.