Lyra Pov

I sat in the living room, staring at the pictures on the wall while I waited for Bethany to return. The hum of her sister’s soft tune floated through the air, faint but calming. I leaned back against the couch, letting my eyes close for a brief moment, trying to drown out the lingering guilt and tension that seemed to follow me wherever I went.

But then, faint whispers broke through the hum. My ears perked up instinctively. At first, I thought I imagined it, but the words grew clearer, harsh and cutting.

“He told me that you are going against his will, and because of that, he...