Elena’s POV

I stand frozen in the center of the hall, the weight of countless accusing gazes pressing down on me so heavily that even breathing begins to feel like an effort, and despite the composure I have forced onto my face, a cold realization is already settling deep within my chest.

I had been careful, more careful than I had ever been before, checking every detail with precision, retracing every step until there was no room left for error, yet even with all that vigilance, I still ...