CHAPTER 58 Breaking Through the Silence

  Eliza's POV

  The door to my room was a solid barrier, both literal and symbolic, keeping me away from the people I couldn't face and the reality I couldn't bear to accept. I could still feel the tight grip of Nikolai's hand on my wrist, the venom in my father's words, and the helplessness in Cavin's eyes as he was forced to watch it all unfold.

  I sat on the edge of my bed, the shadows of the evening lengthening around me. My mother, Noya, had knocked on the door an hour ago, her voice soft but pleading, "Eliza, sweetheart, open the door. Please. I just want to talk." Her voice had a note of desperation, the kind that twisted in my heart and made me want to open up and let her in.

  But I couldn't. Not after what had happened. Not after the way my father had dismissed my feelings, treating me like a pawn to be moved according to his will.