ARIANA

I stared at my brother in utter astonishment, the weight of his words crashing over me like a tidal wave. For a moment, I felt as if I were suspended in time, my heart racing, and my mind struggling to catch up with what he had just proposed.

“No,” I said bluntly, the finality of my response echoing in the stillness of the room. The defiance in my voice surprised even me. “I won’t do it.”

Gabriel’s brow furrowed, and I could see the frustration simmering beneath the surface. “Ariana, you don’t understand. This isn’t just about you. It’s about justice. He needs to pay for what he did...