Davina's POV
I perched on the bed's edge in the room Irvin had shown me before disappearing, my hands clasped so tightly in my lap that my knuckles turned white.
The room's quiet felt overwhelming, punctuated only by the faint drone of cars somewhere far below. I focused on my hands, watching them shake slightly despite my attempts to stay calm.
My phone vibrated against the mattress. Mom's text appeared: "Just checking in. Hope you're okay." I paused, then typed back a lie that made my stomach twist: "Staying at Celeste's tonight. All good." I placed the phone aside, hating myself for the deception.
These sterile white walls felt like they were shrinking around me.
My mind drifted back to my earlier run-in with Irvin's mother, Louise Jenkin. Her gaze had been piercing, loaded with unspoken questions.
