Rhaella's POV.

She came reaching for my neck, but I leaned back before she could touch it.

"It's nothing, Mom."

Her frown deepened. “That is definitely not nothing.”

Her eyes moved from my neck to the plaster on my arm, then to the bandage near my hairline.

"Ella..."

The way she said my name made my stomach sink. She moved closer and caught my wrist before I could pull away again. She rolled up the sleeve of my blouse just enough to expose the scratches on my arm.

Her eyes widened.

"What happened to you?"

I gently pulled my arm free. "I had a small accident while packing last night,”...