Gabrielle's POV
I stood in the empty corridor holding the silver tray like it might explode in my hands.
The crystal glass of warm milk still steamed faintly. The cookies looked soft and golden under the dim hallway light. Bianca’s note remained clutched between my fingers, the elegant loops of her handwriting mocking me.
Drink up. You need your strength for what comes next.—B
My heart slammed against my ribs so hard I felt it in my throat. One sip. That was all it would take. One sip and the tiny life growing inside me would be gone before it ever had a chance to fight.
I did not drink.
I carried the tray into my ransacked room, locked the door with shaking hands, and set everything carefully on the floor. Then I worked quickly. I poured every drop of the milk into an empty water bo
