CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THREE LIFELINE

DAPHNE'S POV "I need you to trust me, Daphne. We’ve been through so much, and I know it’s hard, but you have to trust me now. I’ve planned for this, I’ve thought it through. Luca will come, and when he does, we’ll end this.” His words were a lifeline, something solid to cling to in the midst of my fear. But the thought of waiting, of counting down the days while he was stuck here, hurt and vulnerable, made my stomach twist. I swallowed hard, trying to push down the rising panic. “I’m scared, Javion,” I admitted, my voice breaking. “I’m scared of losing you. I don’t know if I can just sit and wait, not knowing what’s going to happen.” He leaned in closer, his forehead almost touching mine through the bars. “You’re not going to lose me,” he said, his voice steady, reassuring. “I promise you that. I’ve survived worse than this, and I’ll survive this too. For you. For us.” I wanted to believe him, to let his words wrap around me like a protective shield, but the fear was still