Emily's POV
Tessa's hand was clammy in mine as we marched up the grand staircase. I could still feel the burning stares of everyone we'd left behind. Luna Celeste's shocked, fuming expression was etched into my mind. I could almost hear her voice in my head, dripping with venom.
"Half a million dollars," Tessa murmured, her voice barely audible over the sound of our shoes clicking against the marble floor.
I stopped at the top of the stairs, turning to look at her. Her face was pale, her brown eyes wide with disbelief. "I—I don't even know what to say," she stammered.
"You don't have to say anything," I said, squeezing her hand. "You've earned this. You deserve freedom, Tessa."
She let out a choked laugh. "Freedom... I'm free."
Her knees buckled, and I instinctively reached out to st
