Lily locked the door behind her, her chest rising and falling in quick, shallow breaths as she pressed her back against the door.
Her heart pounded, echoing in her ears as she tried to calm herself.
She could barely believe what she’d done—walking away from the ceremony, defying everyone’s expectations. But it had been a brief moment of empowerment, now replaced by a creeping fear that made her feel as if the walls were closing in around her.
The knocks at the door began softly at first, then quickly grew into a persistent, demanding pounding.
“Lily!” her mother’s voice called. “Open this door right now!”
Lily swallowed, her hands trembling as she struggled to maintain her composure.
She couldn’t face them, not after the scene she’d caused. She’d thought she could hold her ground,
