~~~Hailey~~~
The loud cry of Damien jolted me awake, and I rubbed my eyes, which felt gritty and sore from the tears I'd shed the night before. The past two days had been marked by an oppressive silence, as if the entire household was holding its collective breath.
Everyone had retreated into their own little worlds, leaving me feeling isolated and alone. Aiden, in particular, had grown cold and distant, his eyes avoiding mine as if I was a stranger. The tension between us was palpable, a heavy weight that pressed down on my chest.
Mr. Brooklyn's suggestion that we all stay together to avoid any more incidents had fallen flat. Staying in the mansion with everyone, where the tension was still fresh, was unbearable. Mrs. Alora, once vibrant and cheerful, now picked at her food and barely
