Kate sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at her reflection in the mirror.

Dark circles framed her eyes, a testament to the restless night she had spent tossing and turning.

She hadn’t bothered to apply any makeup—what was the point? Today wasn’t about looking beautiful. It was about sending a message.

She didn’t dress to kill, either. Instead, she threw on a plain, oversized sweater and a pair of faded jeans.

Her hair, usually styled to perfection, hung loosely over her ...