Riley sat on the edge of her bed in her private room, staring blankly at the floor. The events of the day weighed heavily on her — the brutal hunt, Serial’s vicious kick, Armani’s unexpected confession, and the way he had looked at her with something dangerously close to softness. She felt drained, sore, and emotionally raw. The last thing she wanted was to face the glittering nightmare of the feast.
A soft knock sounded on the door.
She sighed and stood up slowly, every muscle protesting, before opening it.
Skylar and Quinn stood there, already dressed in elegant black gowns that made them look stunning. Their faces lit up with relief the moment they saw her.
“Oh my goodness, Riley! Are you okay?” Skylar exclaimed, immediately pulling her into a gentle hug. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t wan
