Amelia

I didn’t mean to stop there.

I’d only come to the corridor to clear my head and to ease my chest after everything that had happened. But my feet carried me to the doorway anyway, and when I looked inside, I froze.

Jane had Ariel in her arms.

It was a warm and raw hug.

Jane’s hand cradled the back of Ariel’s head, her fingers buried in her hair, holding her as though she might shatter if loosened even an inch.

Ariel was stiff at first, refusing to let the emotions take ...