Chapter 9
Ally POV
The rest of dinner was a blur of survival. I managed to choke down a few bites of food, nod at the appropriate times, and force out a fragile laugh whenever Hollie made a joke about high-society wedding planning. Every second felt like a drop of hot wax on my skin, I couldn't stay here any longer.
"I'm going to head up, Mom," I said, already on my feet before the words fully registered with her. "The headache I had earlier is coming back."
"Oh, sweetie, go rest. I'll bring you some tea later," my mother said softly, her eyes full of maternal concern that made the guilt in my stomach twist into a tight knot.
I didn't wait. I practically bolted from the dining room, my heels clicking frantically against the marble floor of the grand foyer. I took the stairs two at a
