Isabella’s POV
Tears slid down my cheeks, hot and relentless, blurring my vision as I forced a smile in his direction. My teeth dug into my lip until I tasted iron. My gaze dropped to my mother, limp in my arms, her body drenched in blood. My hands trembled as I brushed my fingers over her face and gently closed her eyes.
This can’t be real. This can’t be life.
“Bella…” Asher’s voice was calm but weighted, almost deliberate.
I lifted my eyes to him, tears swimming and burning.
“They took my mother from me, Asher.” My lips curved into a broken smile. “They won.” My voice quivered, fragile, like it could shatter at any second. “Why did they do that? Their problem was with me, wasn’t it? Why her? She was innocent—she never hurt anyone. Why take the only parent I had left? Why take my who
