Despite my anger at her devious plans, I felt compelled to assist her. I reached down, offering my hand to help her up.
Unexpectedly, Sophia seized my arm—only to fling herself backwards, landing hard with an exaggerated cry.
"Sophia!" A voice I knew all too well boomed, and my heart plummeted.
I spun around to see Maxwell standing nearby, his expression shocked as he surveyed the scene.
"Evelyn? What's going on here?" He demanded, rushing to Sophia's aid. His eyes darted between her bloodstained clothes, the knife on the ground, and the red marks on my hands. "Why is there blood? What's happening?"
My chest constricted as I faced him, a whirlwind of emotions overwhelming me. "Please believe me, Maxwell, she did this to herself! I didn't hurt her—I could never do that!" My voice wavered.