Emily's POV
The garden glowed with soft golden light as the sun dipped lazily toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and rose. The faint fragrance of jasmine hung in the evening air, mingling with the cool whisper of the breeze as it passed through the hedges. For the first time in days, I allowed myself to breathe freely.
Sitting on the stone bench tucked between the rose bushes, I let my thoughts drift, tracing shapes in the sky with my eyes as if searching for answers there. The mansion behind me felt heavy, suffocating. Out here, though, I could pretend for a fleeting moment that my life was still my own, untouched by fear, betrayal, and constant watchful eyes.
That was when Aurora’s voice pierced the stillness.
“Emily! Emily!”
I barely had time to look up before
