darted through the twisting backstreets, the cold night pressing against her skin. Each step felt heavier than the last—not just because of the life growing inside her, but because she was running from a past that refused to let her go.
Viper's father had once been the master of her fate, a ruthless man who bought and sold lives without a second thought. When he discovered her secret affair with his son, Viper, the consequences were unforgiving. Elara was marked for death, a pawn in a game she never wished to play.
But Elara had fought. She had clawed her way out of that darkness, carrying with her a secret more precious than any freedom — her unborn daughter, Ayla.
The weeks that followed were a blur of fear and hope. Elara found sanctuary in a quiet town miles from the city's reach. Here, no one knew the woman who hid beneath layers of pain and strength. In a small, sunlit room, she gave birth to Ayla. The baby's cries pierced the silence like a promise — a promise that no matter the cost, this child would know a different life.
Holding Ayla close, Elara whispered lullabies to drown the ghosts that still haunted her nights. She vowed to protect her daughter with everything she had, to keep her away from the shadows that had nearly consumed her own existence.
Years passed slowly, filled with quiet mornings and cautious smiles. Ayla grew — curious, bold, and full of life. Yet beneath Elara's calm exterior, the past remained a constant threat, lurking just beyond the horizon.
Then, one unexpected day, a spark of light entered Elara's world again. She met a man whose kindness was unlike anything she had known. Their love blossomed slowly, a fragile flower nurtured through laughter and shared dreams. For the first time in years, Elara allowed herself to believe in happiness.