Chapter 4

Michael reached into his jacket and pulled out a thick folder, the cover worn and creased. He handed it to me, his eyes serious. “These are the records from the council,” he said quietly. “They were hidden deep, but I managed to find them.”

I took the folder, my fingers tracing the edge of the papers inside. My heart pounded in my chest as I opened it, the documents spilling out into my lap. The words blurred together, but one name stood out—Amanda’s.

“What is this?” I breathed.

“Proof,” Michael said, his voice grim. “Amanda was coerced into rejecting her…