The atmosphere in the Denovan estate was heavy with the echo of raised voices. Colton’s harsh words still clung to the walls, Elias’s anger still hanging in the air like smoke after a fire. The confrontation had ended with no resolution, only a storm waiting to break again.

Maya stood frozen near the steps, her hands trembling at her sides. Her heart pounded so loudly she could barely hear her own thoughts. She wanted to run, to stop them, to hide from all of it—but before she could even move, a stern voice cut through the night.

“Enough, what is going on here?”

Mr. Denovan had stepped out onto the...