Nina

Scarlett’s gifts felt like a searing poison on my skin. Each carefully selected item was a calculated insult - a reminder of her distinguished superiority, her attempt to reconcile me with expensive trinkets.

My fingers traced the delicate silver bracelet, my nails digging into my palm, transforming the gesture of admiration into a silent show of rage.

My body still ached from Jack’s brutal encounter, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the strategy ...