PROLOGUE

Elijah Vaughn

The night air was crisp when I left work. It was eleven o'clock, and exhaustion weighed heavily on my body. Balancing college and a job felt like a constant battle against fatigue, but at that moment, all I wanted was to get home, take a hot shower, eat something, and finally sleep.

I hadn’t had time to talk to my girlfriend today. In fact, Sabrina had been acting strange for a while. We’d been together for two years, ever since we met at the city library—a quiet refuge where I spent most of my free time studying.

Lately, though, she’d grown distant, gave short answers, and wore an expression I couldn’t read. I tried to ignore it, hoping it was just a phase.

David, my brother, had also been on my mind. I never understood the contempt he seemed to feel for me. Since we were kids, I did everything I could to be a good brother, but in return, I got insults and coldness.

My father used to say that fights between siblings were normal, but with David, it was never just childish rivalry. It was something deeper—some kind of resentment I could never figure out.

As I walked through the streets of Tenebrae, I took in the city around me. Its name, meaning "darkness," attracted tourists in search of a grim, decaying place. But they were wrong. Tenebrae was stunning, filled with imposing architecture and breathtaking views.

But those who lived here knew the truth: beneath all that beauty lay a lawless place, where crimes happened daily without consequence. Theft, murder, violence… it was all routine.

That’s why I was saving money. I needed to get out. I couldn’t see a future in Tenebrae. The best thing I could do was leave.

I turned the corner and saw my house—and immediately sensed something was wrong. A police car was parked out front, and my heart began to race.

Had something happened to my mom or dad?

David?

I quickened my pace, tension flooding my body.

As soon as I stepped inside, the scene hit me like a punch. Sabrina was crying, wrapped in David’s arms. My parents sat nearby, tears streaming down their faces, while two police officers watched me with stern expressions.

"What’s going on?" My voice came out firm, even though fear was already spreading inside me.

Before I could get an answer, I was shoved violently to the ground. My face hit the cold floor, and heavy hands pressed down on my back as handcuffs locked around my wrists.

"I didn’t do anything!" I shouted, struggling. "What the hell is happening?!"

One of the officers pulled me up, his cold eyes fixed on mine.

"You’re under arrest for sexually assaulting your girlfriend."

My mind froze.

My heart stopped for a second, then pounded like a war drum.

"What?!" My voice trembled with shock. "Sabrina!"

I searched her face, desperate for her to deny it. She sobbed even harder, clinging to David. My legs weakened. I knew her. In two years, I’d never even raised my voice at her. How could she accuse me of something like this?

"I didn’t do it! Tell them the truth!" I pleaded.

She shrank into David, as if seeking protection.

My brother's eyes burned with disgust.

"You’re a monster, Elijah! How could you do this to her?! You sick bastard!"

I turned, looking for my parents. They’d believe me. They had to.

"Mom! Dad! You know I would never do that! You know me!"

My mom looked away, sobbing. My dad didn’t even bother to meet my eyes. And in that moment, the truth hit—cruel and soul-crushing.

They believed it.

To them, I was a monster.

My stomach turned, and a cold emptiness tore through my chest.

The officers dragged me out of the house. I fought back, but it was useless.

"Let me go! You’re making a mistake! I didn’t do this!" My voice grew more frantic.

A harsh punch slammed into my stomach. The air rushed from my lungs, and my body doubled over in pain. My knees hit the ground.

"Shut up!" the officer barked.

They threw me into the back of the car like garbage. The door slammed shut with a loud bang. Through the window, the last thing I saw was my mother crying, David smirking with satisfaction, and Sabrina burying her face in his chest.

My mind spun, unable to process what had just happened. Everything had fallen apart so fast. But one thing was certain.

My life was over.