chapter one hundred and ninety two

Hope's POV:

I woke up restless, the previous night still echoing in my thoughts. Uncertainty lingered, and the despair over my father's critical condition continued to haunt me. However, there was no time for hesitation. I rose determined, ready to face another day of competition.

The lingering shower provided brief relief, but the tension persisted. Stepping out of the shower, clad only in a towel, I prepared to change when suddenly something was placed over my face. A cloth saturated with a strong scent hit my nostrils, and instantly, my vision began to darken.

Before I could comprehend what was happening, a presence made itself felt behind me. A deep voice whispered in my ear, "Goodbye, my dear, Hope..." The cloth was over my face, and my body responded weakly to the invasive odor. The world spun around me, and consciousness faded as I succumbed to a sudden faint, the surroundings dissipating.

Lily's POV:

Desperation took hold of me when the beta approached with a somber expression