Carter's POV
Evie looked worse than the last time I saw her.
Her lip was split. Faintly healed. But not enough to be forgotten.
Not enough for me to ignore.
The sight of it sent a sharp, violent rage coiling in my chest.
"Tell me everything."
Evie exhaled shakily, crossing her arms.
She was trying to be strong. But her hands trembled.
"It’s worse than we thought, Carter."
Her voice cracked.
I clenched my jaw. Braced myself.
"Jake hit you." My voice was low, dangerous.
Evie flinched, then nodded once.
"He wanted to do worse."
My pulse roared in my ears.
I had already imagined this.
Already feared this.
That Ruby wasn’t just isolated.
That she wasn’t just trapped.
That she was suffering.
And I had done nothing.
I swallowed back the rage, my fingers curling into fists.
