When they reached the front door, Serena stopped moving and placed both of her hands on her chest as if holding them there would slow down the rate at which her heart was beating. She exhaled deeply and then turned to gaze at her aunt, who gave her a supportive nod while maintaining an impassive expression on her face.
Serena took a few deep breaths as she counted to three and then moved one hand to reach for the doorknob. Suddenly, she was startled by a sound that knocked her off balance and jolted her to the very core of her being. Her hand slipped off the doorknob, and when she began to feel lightheaded, she held on to the wall for support. How could she possibly have been so naive as to believe that no one was aware of what she had done?
She began to perspire and tremble, and when her knees began to buckle, she was forced to assume the fetal position on the cold floor.
Her aunt spoke to her in an accusatory manner and stated, "I know what you did."
