POV: Allison

Freddie's fate was sealed, and my heart twisted at the sight of him being dragged away. My mother and Ariana had been cast out, their curses still ringing in my ears like a chilling lullaby. I had never expected this day to come, not like this, and certainly not this soon.

As the heavy doors of the dungeon creaked shut, William knelt before my father and me, a desperate plea etched across his face. I could see the flicker of something in his eyes, fear, longing, remorse, like a moth to a flame, begging to be given another chance. My father's imposing figure loomed over him, filled with...