The Final Masquerade

Ashbourne Mansion—Main Foyer, 17:45

Declan stood at the foot of the stairs in a perfect black tuxedo—crisp white shirt, black bow tie, diamond cufflinks gleaming under the chandelier light. His hair was neatly combed back. Handsome face but tired—eyes slightly sunken from lack of sleep, jaw tense from stress.

But when he raised his head and saw the figure descending from the stairs—the world stopp