Davina's POV
"Oh, Hughes, nice of you to join us." Caroline's voice slithered through the air, sweet yet poisonous as she slipped from Irvin's lap.
The words cut through me like shattered glass.
Irvin's gaze found me, but he remained motionless. Silent.
The air in the room pressed against my lungs.
My grip on the phone tightened as I crouched to retrieve it, every nerve screaming for escape.
Escape before this nightmare deepens.
I pivoted toward the exit, but the sharp click of the lock made my blood freeze.
Caroline lingered by the door, her polished fingers clutching the key.
Malicious delight danced in her eyes, though fury simmered beneath.
"You're not leaving just yet," Caroline declared, her voice deceptively casual.
I stared at her.
Terror seized me in a new way.
I whipped around to face Irvin, desperate, pleading silently for intervention. For him to command Caroline to stop. To at least recognize the horror unfolding.
But he remained planted there.
Mute.
