Ella
By the time the car rolled through the iron gates of the Evans estate, the sky had already begun to bruise into twilight. The last of the sunset bled across the clouds like a fading promise, all soft pinks and purples that didn’t quite match the tight knot in my chest. I leaned my head against the cool window and let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding since I left Paige.
That woman had a talent for making air feel heavier.
The drive home had been quiet—too quiet. Paulina had tried to make small talk at first, asking about my exams, about whether I was hungry, about whether I needed anything. Hugh, for once, kept his mouth shut. But the silence that followed wasn’t peaceful. It was loaded, buzzing with all the things left unsaid. With Paige’s smug smile replaying in my
