~THE MORNING AFTER~
AMAYA’S POV
By the time I finished bathing and changed into the black nightwear Maria left for me, my entire body stung badly.
The warm water had relaxed me for a few minutes, but now every bruise felt sharper somehow. I stood in front of the bathroom mirror while cleaning the cuts on my arms carefully, trying not to hiss whenever the antiseptic touched broken skin.
After tending to my wounds, I switched off the bathroom light and walked back into the bedroom quietly. Ariel was already asleep beneath the duvet, curled into herself with her tiny curls scattered across the pillow.
My chest softened immediately at the sight of her.
I climbed into bed beside her carefully and pulled the blanket over us. Then I wrapped an arm around her small body and listened to her
