Kaya’s POV
Kaya’s heart raced as she moved down the hallway, each step a desperate prayer that Josh wouldn’t hear her. Her pulse pounded in her ears, the metallic taste of fear lingering on her tongue. She was so close—just a little further, and she could—
A shadow blocked her path. Her breath hitched, and her blood ran cold. Before she could even process what was happening, Josh was standing there, his eyes burning with a dark, twisted fury.
“Kaya,” he said softly, his voice sickeningly sweet. But there was venom underneath, barely contained.
She stumbled back, her body trembling as she clutched the metal rod to her chest like a lifeline. “Josh, I—I wasn’t—”
In a heartbeat, he was on her. His hand shot out, grabbing her wrist with a bruising grip. Kaya yelped in pain, the rod slippin
