I woke up abruptly, struggling to breathe as if someone's hands were wrapped around my throat. My heart raced, each breath feeling like fire in my throat. Drenched in sweat, my body shook uncontrollably with sobs.

It had been five days since the attack at the psych wing in Hopevale, yet the nightmares persisted, refusing to release their grip on me. Trapped in my own mind, I relived the horror over and over.

The memory of her vacant, crazed eyes haunted me, sending shivers down my spine, along with the sensation of her hands tightening around my neck. I thought I'd never breathe again.

Curled in bed, I hugged my knees to my chest, rocking back and forth in a futile attempt to ground myself in the present.

I felt small and lost, nothing like the strong, confident woman I was expected to be. The facade of control I had meticulously crafted had crumbled, leaving me exposed, unable to shake off the fear that gripped me.

The shame this event had brought upon me silenced me, even when Tessa and Tammy had insisted I tell them if I was okay. I had just blamed the workload and the forced engagement.

I was supposed to be a Steelman—carved from granite and utterly unflappable, not some quivering damsel crumbling under duress. My father's scathing voice echoed in my mind, withering in its contempt for such pathetic fragility unbecoming of my lineage.

Yet I curled tighter into myself, powerless against the torrent of memories and emotions threatening to engulf me completely.

Then, in the depths of my despair, his image invaded my thoughts. Professor Hahn, with his protective embrace and penetrating gaze, offering me a lifeline in the storm of my nightmares.

His touch, his gaze—they had anchored me back to reality when everything else seemed lost. Regardless of how much I tried to dismiss it, there was no denying the magnetic pull I felt towards him, the way my pulse quickened at the mere recollection of his masculine scent of dark coffee and musty wood.

It was humiliating to admit, but in that moment, I had felt safe. Secure in his arms, I had allowed myself to be vulnerable, to relinquish control and find comfort in his strength.

The way he could unravel me with a single glance, igniting a firestorm of emotions I couldn't understand or control, was simply enticing. I felt pathetic admitting it, but I had wished his hands would just...wander...off...

I shook my head, banishing the lascivious thought.

THE MADNESS!

This obsession with Hahn was pure madness, a distraction I couldn't afford.

He was an unwelcome intrusion into my carefully curated world, yes, an intrusion—a nosy, fashionless, pompous, coffee-addicted quack, not some desirable object worthy of misguided girlish infatuation.

With a frustrated groan, I collapsed back against the pillows, scrubbing my hands over my face in a futile attempt to regain composure. But try as I might to push him from my thoughts, he lingered, his presence a constant reminder of my vulnerability.

As I settled back under the covers, determined to determined to banish the night's terrors, a text from Allistair suddenly lit up my phone screen.

'Hey beautiful! Still awake?'

It was a welcome distraction, yes, but also a chance to reconnect with the one person who never failed to lift my spirits, even in my darkest moments.

'Yeah, can't seem to shut my brain off ' I replied quickly, grateful for the opportune intervention. 'Just another restless night.'

I could practically picture Allistair's concerned expression, his worry palpable even through text. Sensing my struggles always got him on edge.

'Want to meet up? Maybe a change of scenery will help.'

A faint smile crossed my lips. Allistair is always looking out for me. His thoughtfulness was a balm to my frazzled nerves.

I felt a pang of guilt, knowing I didn't deserve his unwavering care and concern, not with the way my traitorous thoughts had been drifting lately. But I quickly pushed that self-reproach aside, refusing to let it disarm me further.

'You might be onto something. It's been too long since I've seen you. I miss you.'

'I'm so sorry babe, dealing with my dad has been draining.'

His response was immediate. I sighed inwardly at the thought. Our fathers could be insufferable. The mountain of paperwork from the conglomerate was the only thing keeping me sane during the day, though it seemed Allistair was facing similar challenges.

'I'm at ASPh. Tessa's suggestion... I swear I'll make it up to you tenfold 😁😘'

A hard eyeroll ensued at the mention of the unsavory place, and a silly grin spread across my lips at the realization that he knows me so well. But I was not letting him off easy.

'Ugh! Out of all people! 🙄 You better make it UP to me 😩'

'😍😍Gladly! All day every day my sweet love'

My boyfriend was a charmer.

'You are a goof! I'm in... I'll be there after breakfast. Sound good?'

'Mmm, I'll be counting down the seconds. Don't keep me waiting too long, sweetie'

A girlish smile played at my lips. How did I ever got this lucky...

'I might not be able to sleep after that😘'

'Well, you should if only to dream of me, I know I'll be dreaming of you'

The butterflies in my stomach fluttered at his words. Allistair had a way of making me feel seen and cherished, even from a distance.

'Mr. Lockwood, if you keep talking like that, I might just elope you.🤔'

'That sounds like a plan!🥳 I want nothing more than a happy future for us Tally, I mean it!😍'

How could I not adore this man. He was rightfully lodged in between the threads of my very being. He was my soulmate.

'Awe Babe! I love you so much 😘❤️'

'I love you more, my princess ❤️'

'Now please rest sweetie, I'm here if you need me ok?'

With a happy sigh and a big smile, I settled back into bed, finally able to drift off into a peaceful slumber, knowing Allistair was just a text away.

I headed for the shower, deliberately avoiding my reflection in the mirror. I knew exactly what I'd find there—pale skin, dark circles under my eyes, and that subtle purple bruise adorning my neck, a cruel reminder of the assault.

But today wasn't a day for dwelling. With practiced ease, I pulled my hair into a messy bun and slipped into a simple yet elegant Brunello Cucinelli dress with a nice turtleneck.

Nearly two hours later, after navigating my father's enhanced surveillance, I finally arrived at Antoine Shahir's penthouse in the heart of the city.

He was an eccentric character, to say the least, purebred Bollywood royalty. Charming and flamboyant with a never-ending string of lovers, and a reputation as an unrepentant party boy.

"Antoine, good to see you," I greeted him with a polite smile, taking in his caramel skin and the faint scent of coconut that always seemed to linger around him.

"There's my favorite icy queen, gracing my humble abode!" he purred in his dessy accent, sidling up to me. "Tell me, are you ready to trade your prince charming for some caramel love?" He winked exaggeratedly. "They say frigid queens like you are the kinkiest in bed, and I'm dying to find out if it's true."

I swatted his hand away as he reached out to stroke my hair. "Still as charmingly inappropriate as ever, Antoine," I remarked, taking a step back and scanning the room. "Where's Allistair?"

"Ta-ha-li, my dear, leave your chilly mood outside—my maids simply can't handle the sudden cold fronts," Antoine quipped with an exaggerated shudder.

"Your 'maids' aren't accustomed to wearing clothes," I shot back coolly. "If they get cold, I'm sure they can always cozy up to you for warmth. So really, you should be thanking me for the extra business."

I fixed him with a pointed look, my patience wearing thin. "Now, stop with the theatrics. Where's Allistair?"

Antoine gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "My sweet popsicle, you wound me! I had hoped you'd reconsider all this foolishness." He flung himself dramatically across a nearby fuchsia chaise lounge. "After all, I swore to be on my best behavior and I'm even helping in your time of need."

By "all this", he meant why I had blacklisted him from every fashionable club, bar, and party venue in the city. I heaved a weary sigh at having to deal with such an outrageous, exasperating character.

"Keep testing me, Antoine, and I'll see you blacklisted in Ibiza as well," I threatened in a sing-songy voice.

He bolted upright, genuine fear flashing in his eyes at the thought of being banished from his favorite playground. "He's in my studio, I swear!" Antoine blurted out quickly.

"There, now that wasn't so difficult, was it?" I gave him a satisfied icy smile.

"Good lord, you'll be the death of me!" Antoine called dramatically as I turned on my heel. "If you ever leave that bore, I'll be first in line, you dangerous woman! BRRR!"

I swept out of the room, leaving Antoine's dramatic antics behind me. My heart clenched as I spotted Allistair in the studio, looking disheveled and utterly drained. Seeing the toll this was taking on him only compounded the ache in my chest.

"Hey love, I hope Antoine didn't give you too much trouble," Allistair said softly, his tender gaze meeting mine. A warm smile tugged at his lips, and I couldn't help but marvel at how his mere presence always managed to soothe me.

"Nothing I couldn't handle," I replied with a playful eye roll, crossing the room to curl up beside him on the plush couch. As he wrapped me in his strong, familiar embrace, I felt the last vestiges of my tension melt away.

"But really, out of all our acquaintances, him?" I added with an exasperated huff, unable to contain my distaste for Antoine's theatrics. Allistair knew how much I loathed dealing with the flamboyant socialite.

Allistair chuckled, nuzzling my shoulder as he trailed gentle kisses along my neck. "Because no one would ever suspect you'd willingly set foot in this...place," he pointed out with a wink. "And despite his eccentricities, Antoine is surprisingly trustworthy when it comes to keeping secrets."

I couldn't help but sigh in resignation. As much as I disliked relying on Antoine's help, Allistair was right. "I suppose you have a point," I conceded, tilting my head to give him better access.

Allistair's smile widened as he pulled me closer, his strong arms encircling me protectively. "And I believe I promised to make it up to you?" he murmured, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Before I could respond, he cupped my face and drew me into a kiss, slow and deep, communicating the depth of his longing. The butterflies in my stomach erupted into a frenzy, and I melted into his embrace, every worry and fear momentarily forgotten.

"God, I've missed you so much," Allistair breathed, his voice strained with emotion when we finally parted.

My heart swelled with love as I gazed into his deep blue eyes. "Me too, babe," I murmured, gently tracing his jaw with my fingers.

His brow furrowed with concern. "How are you doing, love? Truly?"

I hesitated, part of me wanting to confide in him about the assault, but the thought of adding to his burdens made my chest tighten. "I'm fine, just stressed," I replied, offering him a reassuring smile. "The conglomerate is drowning me in paperwork, thanks to daddy dear, no doubt."

Allistair's expression softened with understanding. "And the surveillance? I know how much that's been weighing on you."

I nodded, nestling closer to him. "It's been suffocating, not being able to see you whenever I want. I feel trapped in that manor."

With a heavy sigh, Allistair pulled me into a fierce embrace. "I'm so sorry you've been going through this, my love. Being apart from you has been pure agony." He pressed a tender kiss to my forehead. "But I promise, we'll get through this together."

Reluctantly, we pulled apart, both of us all too aware that the pressing matters at hand couldn't be ignored any longer.

"So, what did you find out?" I asked.

Allistair's expression darkened. "My research paid off. I've got some findings, but they're not easy to swallow," He confessed, his handsome face creased with worry.

"It's better if you see for yourself," he insisted.

"Show me," I urged, bracing myself for the worst.