Ariana’s POV
For the past five minutes, I’d been palm-slapping my forehead, replaying everything in my mind.
Now that I thought about my actions, I realized—I had acted on impulse.
But it still felt like I had played right into Mother’s hands, doing exactly what she wanted me to.
The thought made me burn inside. It was a bittersweet thing—having the biggest proof that could expose her, yet my body refused to betray her.
Some invisible thread between guilt and duty held me back.
The weight of it all pressed against my temples, making my head throb. I didn’t know what to do anymore.
My mind was empty of solutions.
What could I possibly do now?
***
When I turned toward the window, the moon’s faint glow fell across my face.
I blinked in surprise—night had already come.
I hadn’t
