Esme’s POV
Before I could reach the hall, someone grabbed me from behind and slammed my back into the wall. The impact made my breath hitch. My hands tightened around Lior instinctively. His small body shook slightly in my arms, and I immediately shifted him so he wouldn’t hit the wall with me.
I looked up, and my heart dropped.
It was Nolan.
He stood so close that I could feel his breath on my face. And instead of anger or regret or even a hint of guilt, all I saw was a smile. A slow, cruel smile.
“How does it feel,” he asked quietly, “everyone abandoning you, huh… sister?”
I shook my head immediately. “Nolan, why are you going this far? Why are you doing all these? What do you even want from me?”
He didn’t answer any of my questions. His expression didn’t shift. Instead, he leane
