Chapter 7 - Into the NightThe cool night air hit Julian like a slap in the face as he stepped out onto the wide stone driveway. Rain had begun to fall, a light drizzling mist that coated the windshields of his luxury sedans parked in the forecourt.
He placed Lily carefully into the back seat of his SUV, strapping her into her car seat with trembling hands. The child was quiet now, exhausted from crying, her small thumb tucked into her mouth, her puffy eyes watching her father with a mix of wonder and lingering terror.
"Are we going home, Daddy?" she whispered softly.
Julian wiped a tear from his own face and kissed her forehead. "We are going somewhere safe, sweetie. I promise you, no one is ever going to hurt you again."
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He closed the door gently and stepped into the driver's seat. As he started the powerful engine, he looked up at the main entrance of the grand estate. Victoria stood under the bright porch lights, soaking wet in her red sequined dress, her yellow hair sticking to her face, watching him leave with an unblinking, dark glare.
He shifted into drive and slammed his foot on the accelerator. The tires screeched against the wet pavement as the SUV burst through the high iron gates of the estate, leaving the gilded nightmare behind. But in the rear-view mirror, Julian watched the mansion recede into the black night, knowing that this was only the beginning of a bitter, dangerous war.
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