Viya's POV
I stepped through the estate gates and immediately spotted Bartell standing outside with a small army of security guards. Though the windows of that black Rolls-Royce were tinted shut, I knew exactly whose eyes were fixed on me from inside.
Since childhood, Margaret Blackwood had never intended to let me go.
All those years I'd carefully hidden my true feelings, wearing that mask of obedient compliance—it had only earned me their escalating demands.
Seeing my calm expression as I emerged, Bartell's face darkened further. He gestured stiffly toward the car. "Miss Lockwood, please."
"I can't leave right now." My voice came out colder than I'd intended.
His eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. "The Luna is waiting for you in the car."
"Then..." I paused delibera
