Chapter 246: Drowning in pain

Mara lay curled on the floor where she had fallen, the room dark now except for the soft, flickering glow of her bedside lamp. Her fingers were still wrapped tightly around Rafae’s ring box, stained with his blood, pressed against her chest like it could somehow bring him back.

No one dared to knock. Her brothers waited outside her door in turns—silent sentries, unsure if their presence would help or shatter her further.