CELESTINE’s P O V

Arnold pried open the door with a resounding thud and rushed in.

I stood there in a trance, my hands hanging on my sides. The back of my right palm that was covered with blood dripped onto the floor from my fingertips.

‘‘Leina!’’ Ada raced over to comfort Leina, who had begun openly sobbing, and she pointed out on purpose the clear scars of strangling that were present on her neck.

‘‘Celestine!’’ Arnold dashed towards me as well, quickly grabbed my hand and frowned as he checked on it. ‘‘What happened?’’

My awareness returned, and I swiftly pulled my hand from his grip, which resulted in...