Maxwell POV

Amelia thought I didn’t notice the way her eyes followed me lately, lingering too long when I slipped out of a room, narrowing when I came back late, searching me like she could read the secrets I refused to spill. She was right to doubt me—but for the wrong reasons.

It wasn’t because I was wavering. It was because I was planning.

And this time, Amelia couldn’t be part of it.

I couldn’t risk her. Not when the weight of one mistake could shatter everything.

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