GABRIELLA'S POV

Her cries continued as I carried her into the bathroom, the sound echoing in the small space.

I tenderly placed her in the warm water, lathering a soft sponge with gentle soap. As I began to cleanse her delicate body, I kept repeating my apologies, my voice quivering with sorrow.

Estella's sobs slowly subsided, replaced by sniffs and occasional hiccups. The water cascaded down her small frame, washing away the remnants of a horrifying experience that no child should ...