Cambrik barely heard the door opening. She turned her head and saw Genia standing in the doorway, her silhouette framed by the warm glow of the hallway light. For a moment, Genia didn’t move, her hand gripping the doorknob as if to steady herself. Her eyes widened, disbelief etched into her features.
“What the hell happened to you?” Genia whispered, her voice breaking, her words trembling with shock and sorrow.
Cambrik felt her chest tighten at the question. She wanted to run to Genia, throw her arms around her, and let all the pain spill out. The tears she had swallowed for months burned in her throat, threatening to break free. Her legs wobbled, carrying her half a step forward, but then she stopped. Something held her back—a flicker of dread, a reflex she didn’t fully understand.
Slo
