Chapter 49.
The car broke down a few miles from their destination, so Sophia and Luca had to walk the rest of the way. The path was rough, winding through thick forest and steep hills, and each step made them more tired. The air also got colder and thinner as they climbed.
Sophia was breathing hard, her legs shaky from exhaustion. They had been walking for hours, struggling to reach this hidden place. But when the mansion came into view, she forgot how tired she was.
The mansion was a large building, its stone walls blending with the natural landscape. Tall windows reflected the setting sun, and ivy climbed up the sides, adding to its timeless charm.
"Wow," Sophia whispered, her eyes wide with wonder. "This is beautiful."
Luca smiled faintly, the first real smile she had seen from him in days. "Welcome to my father's mansion. He built it many years ago as a retreat, a place to escape from danger. It's hidden well enough that no one should find us here."