Chapter 1 - The Broken Breath
The white marble corridor echoed with sharp accusations before Julian could even steady his racing heartbeat. Clara descended the sweeping staircase, her pale silk robe rustling against the stone steps, her face twisted in absolute horror and suspicion. She pointed a trembling finger at the small child kneeling beside Julian’s prostrate frame.
“What is she doing to him?” Clara screamed, her voice bouncing off the high crystal chandeliers with piercing intensity.
“Get away from him right now! You shouldn't even be in this wing of the estate!”
Julian propped himself up on one elbow, still gasping for residual oxygen, his black suit jacket stained with dust from the floor. He glared up at Clara, his dark eyes flashing with sudden, defensive fury.
“Stop shouting, Clara!” Julian snapped, his voice rough from the near-asphyxiation.
“Can’t you see she literally just saved my life? If it wasn't for her and this blue inhaler, I’d be dead right now!”
Clara scoffed, crossing her arms tightly over her chest, refusing to look down at the child.
“Saved you? Julian, look at her! She’s wearing hospital pajamas and holding a stuffed rabbit. This is a secure high-security estate. Children don't just wander into our private corridors by accident.”
Julian turned his head slowly, looking at the little blonde girl with braided hair who clutched her worn-out toy with tear-filled eyes. He remembered her soft, haunting question from moments ago, asking if he was dying like her.
“I don't care how she got here,” Julian argued, raising his voice to cut through Clara’s skepticism.
“She knew how to use the device. She stayed calm while I was choking. Who brought her here, Clara? Answer me that.”
Before Clara could formulate a defensive response, the sharp click of leather shoes echoed from the arched doorway behind them. Marcus stepped into the grand corridor, adjusting the cuffs of his sharp beige three-piece suit with unnerving composure. A faint, cold smile played at the corners of his mouth.
“Nobody brought her in, Julian,” Marcus said smoothly, his eyes locking onto the trembling child with a predatory glint.
“In fact, she shouldn't even exist.”
Julian froze, staring at Marcus in utter disbelief.
“What are you talking about, Marcus?”
Marcus stepped closer, his shadow falling over Lily.
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“Ask her what is inside that stuffed rabbit.”
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