Ava's POV

The moment I stepped into the car, the weight of everything crashed down on me, pressing against my chest like an iron vice. The mansion, that dreadful family, the accusations… I felt trapped, cornered in a game I hadn’t asked to play. As the driver pulled away from the estate, the silence settled in, thick and stifling.

I barely noticed when Rose reached over, placing a comforting hand on my arm. “Ava… are you alright?”

That was all it took. The tears I’d been holding back spilled over, hot and heavy. I buried my face in my hands, feeling the rage, frustration, and exhaustion pour out of me...