Chapter 139

ARIA'S POV

The grand hall was buzzing with laughter, clinking glasses, and the light murmur of people deep in conversation. But as Finn and I walked in, the weight of what had just happened sat like a stone in my chest.

Ralph’s face, the betrayal, the way he had gasped his last breath—it was burned into my mind. I could barely breathe as I looked around the crowd, half-wondering if people could somehow sense the horror I was carrying with me.

And then I saw the bitch.

Linda was seated among the crowd, dressed in a fresh, elegant gown, her hair pinned perfectly in place, her eyes bright as she laughed with the people around her. She looked radiant, so carefree and untouched by what had just happened in the cell below.

How could she act like nothing had happened? Like she hadn’t just murdered the man who loved her?

I felt a rush of anger inside me, my heart pounding, and before I could even think, I was making my way across the room towards her.