Chapter 9: Wait what?

I hardly have a chance to open my mouth before the girl turns and rushes away from me like a speck of dust on the impeccable surface of her life. No word, no glance, but the instant echo of her heels off smoth surfaces as if she's afraid that I'll follow in after her. Like an obedient little ghost bride.

And worst of all, I do.

Not because I'm confident in her.

Not because I'd choose to.

But because something inside me is breaking—and to follow her is simpler than remaining still. My legs work, my brain does not.

We move through infinite corridors carved out of luxury and silence. The air is too pristine. The walls are too pale. Everything smells like power and refined deceit. The kind of place where no one ever raises their voice because their secrets are loud enough.

My hands tremble against the fabric of my borrowed gown. I don't belong here. Each step echoes that truth.

This isn't mine. This isn't mine. This isn't mine.

A memory slices through the fog.

That cold hard stone cham