Stewart knelt down in front of Briony, meeting her bewildered gaze.

He reached into the inside pocket of his coat and pulled out a key, unlocking the shackle around her ankle.

The metal chain clattered to the floor.

Briony frowned.

Rising to his feet, Stewart looked down at her, a gentle smile flickering in his dark eyes. "You're free to leave now."

Briony stared at him, hesitation written all over her face.

Stewart said nothing.

Tentatively, she took a step forward.

He didn't move to stop her.

She drew in a shaky breath, then broke into a run.

Pain shot up from her ankle-sharp, relentless—but she ignored it, seized the doorknob, and flung the door open-

And froze.

This wasn't Southcreek Manor.

She took in the long, unfamiliar hallway, dread pooling in her stomach.

it couldn't

onward, limping down

hit her,

on

but the endless expanse of

at Southcreek

were on a private

Footsteps sounded behind her.

Briony turned.

Stewart was approaching.

he said quietly. "It'll

him, disbelief and horror warring in

never could have imagined Stewart would go this far-would lose himself so

feeling a crushing

out of

went out of her. She sank down

will it take for

of her and knelt, slow and

even sharper, almost cruel in the harsh light. His eyes, narrowed and endlessly dark,

real question is when will you finally listen to

the man before her, her hope guttering

her salvation. Now she saw the truth: he wasn't an angelcome to rescue her, but & devil with a scythe and chains, dragging her down to

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