So that's exactly what I did—I ran. The tears blurred my vision as I pushed through the halls of the atelier, voices calling after me. But I couldn't stop. My chest tightened with each step, and all I could think about was the betrayal that had shattered my world.
In the quiet of my bathroom, I stared at my reflection. My eyes were swollen, red from the crying that hadn't stopped since that day. Sylus's words replayed in my mind like a broken record. _She can't survive without me._ Each repetition brought fresh pain, a sharp reminder of how blind I'd been. How could I not have seen it coming?
Three days passed, and I hadn't stepped foot outside. The humiliation, the heartbreak—they weighed me down like a chain. But through the haze of misery, Lucas's offer lingered, tempting me. _We'll help you with your problems involving the Ashfords._
