Her gaze drifted to the pale, colorless sky beyond the window, heavy with dull grays that seemed to seep confinement straight into her heart. Her adversary wasn’t just Olivia—it was Matthew, a looming shadow that stretched over everything.

“Get some rest for now,” the officer said, her voice stripped of comfort. With deliberate steps, she turned and left.

Scarlett didn’t move—a fragile silhouette etched against the crushing weight of forces beyond her ...