Cassidy
I didn't hear the gasps.
Didn't see the shocked faces.
Didn't feel the weight of Kieran's grip slipping from mine.
All I saw was my mother running.
And I ran after her.
I could hear my name being called—Celeste maybe, or Elara—but the pounding of my heartbeat drowned them out. The delicate fabric of my dress tangled around my legs as I pushed through the corridor, breath short, chest heaving.
She had disappeared through the eastern hall.
The staff entrance.
I took the turn without thinking.
I found her outside, behind the estate, knees in the grass, her arms wrapped around herself like they were the only thing keeping her from falling apart.
"Mom," I gasped, dropping beside her. "Mom—please."
She didn't look at me.
Her voice was barely a whisper. "He was supposed to be gone. I thought I escaped him."
My hands hovered over her back, unsure if she wanted to be touched. "Mama, what did he do? Did he... did he?"
Tears streaked down her cheeks. She nodded once.
