Livia’s POV
My world slows down entirely, grinding into a halt as tears blur my vision.
But I can still see the red.
And god, there’s way too much of it.
“No.” My lips barely move. Every inch of my body is starting to get numb. “Mom!”
Limbs shaking, I run up to her and sink into my knees. I cradle her head on my lap and feel another gash on the back of her head.
Thoughts about the worst things come to mind.
Did that man get in the house and do this to her? Did he get impatient? Did he decide to just punish her?
Did he… did he finish her off while I was out there?
“No,” I whimper again, feeling the side of her neck with my two fingers.
Please. Oh, god, let her have a pulse….
Mom groans. “Livia?”
Her pulse strengthens as her throat vibrates with the sound of my name. I almost c
