The door opened slowly, and Raven's breath caught in her throat at the sight before her.
Ava looked utterly devastated. Her usually vibrant eyes were swollen and red-rimmed, the kind of red that came from hours of uncontrollable crying.
Dark circles shadowed the skin beneath them, stark against her pale complexion. Her hair, normally so carefully styled, hung in tangled waves around her face.
She was still in her nightgown despite the late morning hour, and she clutched a handkerchief in one trembling hand.
But it was the look in her eyes that truly broke Raven's heart. It was a hollow, haunted expression that spoke of a pain so deep it had carved something fundamental out of her soul.
When Ava's gaze focused on Raven standing in the doorway, her face crumpled. A sob tore from her t
