• [Content Warning: Extreme emotional distress and physical assault. Reader discretion is advised.]
"To kill Mathias? Olivia, what on earth are you saying?"
Olivia bit her lower lip, her teeth digging into the flesh as she smoothed out the crumpled parchment once more. She swallowed hard, a wave of sheer, unadulterated dread washing over her. Her breath hitched, coming in ragged, shallow gasps, and her hands flew to her throat as if to pry away an invisible noose. The air in the room suddenly felt thin, suffocating, as though the very walls were closing in to stifle her.
She collapsed onto the sofa, her strength failing her.
Panic flared in Isabella's eyes. She rushed to the decanter, pouring a glass of water with trembling hands before kneeling at Olivia's side. "Olivia! Olivia, look at me! Are you alright? What is happening?"
