Ashley’s POV

I drove through the night with tears streaming down my face, the blurry lights of the city passing by in a haze. My hands were shaking on the steering wheel, and my thoughts were spinning wildly.

It wasn’t supposed to feel like this, not now, not when I should be happy, excited even. But all I could feel was this overwhelming dread, like a wave ready to crash down on me.

When I reached the palace, the familiar structure loomed ahead, quiet and imposing against the dark sky. I had no idea what I was doing here so late, but the need to escape had driven me, and...