Rosalie rushed towards Kira to help her up.
"I'm fine," Kira gritted out through clenched teeth. "Just get in there."
Rosalie glanced back at the door, her heart hammering. They were running out of time. She exchanged a look with Alessia, who nodded and helped her drag Kira inside.
Inside the room, Rosalie froze.
Her mother stood there, unshackled, untouched, watching them with cold eyes. Miss V was just as Rosalie remembered—sharp, calculating, and utterly indifferent. Her hands were folded neatly in front of her, and she smiled—a smile that never reached her eyes.
Rosalie stared at her mother, disbelief mingling with the sharp tension in her chest. For a moment, she couldn't move. Miss V stood in front of her, unshackled, unscathed, her lips curved in that distant smile, as if she'd expected all of this.
