**Chapter 11: The Mysterious Stranger**
The fire made national news by supper.
“Disgruntled ex torches multi-million-dollar wedding venue.”
They called me unhinged, a stalker, a psycho.
They didn’t call me a victim again.
Victor watched the coverage on mute, arm around my shoulders, lips brushing my temple every time some talking head said my name wrong.
“Let them talk,” he murmured. “By tomorrow the Council’s statement drops. Then we’ll see who looks unhinged.”
I was too tired to care. The adrenaline crash hit hard. I fell asleep on the couch with my head in his lap, his fingers stroking my hair, and didn’t dream at all.
I woke up to the smell of coffee and bacon, and the sound of a motorcycle pulling up outside.
Victor was already moving, body tense, hand on the gun tucked a
