Chapter 16. Sophie.

Hours have passed since I left the ballroom, yet I find myself still seated on the floor, the tears staining my cheeks. My head throbs with every heartbeat, and I can't shake off the overwhelming sense of despair that envelops me. The grandeur of the ballroom feels like a distant memory now, replaced by the suffocating silence of my room.

Suddenly, I hear a faint sound, causing me to pause and lift my head from my knees. Taking in a shuddering breath, my eyes dart around the room, searching for the source of the noise, but there's nothing and no one in sight. A shiver runs down my spine as I rise to my feet, a sense of unease creeping over me.

"Who's there?" I call out as I gingerly make my way to the table next to me, reaching for a nearby vase, my fingers curling around it tightly as I prepare to defend myself. But before I can fully brace myself, I feel a presence in the room, causing my heart to race even faster. I turn towards the direction of the disturbance, my breath catching