Aliana’s POV

I had left once before.

I had tried to escape this life, to build something different.

And yet—I had come back.

Freddy hadn’t forced me.

No one had.

I had walked back into this world on my own.

And now, looking at Mercy—I knew the answer.

"Yeah," I said softly.

Her lips parted, as if she wanted to say more.

But in the end, she just nodded.

"Good," she whispered.

And then, before I could respond, she turned and walked away, disappearing down the hall.

I stood there for a moment, alone in the hallway.

Robert was gone.

Freddy was still by my side.

Sandy was safe.

And...