Chapter 15

(3rd Person Pov)

The group stood frozen as Amirah tried to walk away, each of them exchanging tense glances. Catalina was the first to move, stepping forward cautiously. "Amirah, wait," she called out, her voice softer than usual. "You're not okay. You can't just walk out like this."

Amirah didn't stop. Her legs felt heavier with each step, the strain of releasing her darkness dragging her down. But she wouldn't show weakness. Not in front of them. Not in front of Lani.

"Stay back," Amirah warned, her voice trembling under the weight of her exhaustion. The ache in her chest sharpened, and the edges of her vision blurred, but she forced herself forward. One more step. Just one more.

But her body had other plans.

The darkness she had released was taking its toll, and before she could fight it, a sharp pain pierced through her skull. Her knees buckled. The world tilted. And then—blackness.

"Mama!" Lani's panicked scream echoed through the hall as Amirah collapsed to the ground, her body limp and unresponsive.

Briyah rushed forward, but the moment her hand reached out, Lani sprang into action. "Don't touch her!" the little girl cried, pushing at Briyah's arm with all her might. "Leave her alone!"

Tears streamed down Lani's face as she stood protectively over her mother, her tiny fists balled in defiance. Catalina and Jackson froze, unsure whether to step in or give her space. Even Mikeal, for all his anger, seemed shaken by the sight.

"Lani, sweetheart, we just want to help," Catalina tried, her voice softer now. "Your mama is hurt. We need to make sure she's okay."

"No!" Lani yelled, her body trembling as she spread her arms out, as if to shield Amirah from them. "You hurt her! You don't get to touch her again!"

Jackson let out a low sigh, his usual confidence replaced by uncertainty. "What do we do?" he muttered under his breath.

"We wait," Briyah said softly, watching the little girl fiercely protecting her mother. "We wait until she's ready to trust us again."

For now, none of them dared to move closer. Because right now, Lani was the only thing standing between them and the woman they had all let down.