Frozen in place, her body refused to obey even the slightest command.
Her legs felt like they didn't belong to her anymore, heavy, locked in place, rooted to the cold cracked ground outside Eclipse Club.
The shadow was still there, still watching. Just standing at the edge of the alley as if daring her to come closer.
Merlina's body twitched, her muscles tight with panic, but she didn't take a step.
She wanted to. God, she wanted to rush forward, demand to know who it was, why they were there, if they had been recording her.
But fear held her back.
Not just fear—everything. The blackmail. The video. That damn letter.
The truth she had just learned about her mother.
Her chest tightened. Her pulse thudded like it was trying to escape her body. The air felt thick, sharp in her lungs.
What if they saw everything?
What if they heard what Conor said?
What if they already have the video?
She took one trembling step forward.
