LETTERS OF FATE

she handed it back to him. The words lingered in her mind: You're p

urmured, her voice barel

I know who sent this," he replied. "It's someone connected

d over Claire. "What

ve them more control." He turned to her, his gaze sharp. "But you need to be careful, Claire. Starting now, no ema

ing a lump in he

he moved a step closer. "I'll protect

situation weighed down on her. She wanted to trust him, but the

the next letter. Adrian's growing trust in her sparked her creativity, and every word felt like a lifeline to hold onto. Yet,

phone buzzed, snapping her from her thoughts. She glanced at the s

protect you when t

message, fear gripping her. Without h

second ring. "Claire

voice quivering. "It's from someone

went icy. "R

et. When he spoke again, his voice was steady.

drian, I

for you there. Whoever's behind th

re of herself, but the fear gripping her heart

ng," Adrian promised

Adrian's building. The driver guided her inside, and the elevator whisked her straight to th

" he said, taking

the anxiety still l

ontrast to the turmoil swirling in her mind. "You can stay here as lon

ix of gratitude and confusion washing over

cause I care about you, Claire. And because th

shing aside the threats and lies that had consumed her thoughts.

buzzed in his pocket. He checked the screen, and

tighten in her ches

that ignited whenever Sophia's name popped up, but it was hard to shake off. The actress was e

he couldn't let her feelings muddle her

kitchen when she finally emerged from her room. He ha

he said straight out. "She's

nk at the words. "W

ed. "But it's only a matter of time before she

elt like a heavy weight on her ch

letters are our strongest weapon right now. As lon

far from easy. Each word she typed felt like balancing

aken this job. What had begun as a simple ghostwriting task had spiraled into something much more complex. She had built a deepe

eit, and the relentless pressure were wearing her down. St

he glanced up at Claire, a small smile playing on his lips. "It's

s cheeks at his words. "Thanks.

oser, his face serious. "It will. We're g

lingering doubt that hung over her. The reality was they were both

he decided to get up and headed to the living room. The city lights filtered softly through

her?" he murmure

"Just too much swirli

him on the couch. For a moment, they sat in

his voice. "I need you to understand something. No matter

her chest at the weight of his

eyes. "Because you're important to me," he

ass jolted them both. They turned instinctively to the window, where a roc

e darkening as he read it aloud: "Le

her once again. They weren't just playing a dangerous game,