And then I saw her. Nadia's mother lay crumpled on the floor, pale and motionless, blood pooling beneath her.
Before I could even process the scene, the door burst open with a violent kick.
Jonah stormed in, his face contorted in fury. His men followed closely behind.
A scream shattered the silence.
"Mom!"
Nadia shoved past them, her wail piercing. She collapsed beside her mother's limp body, hands shaking as she tried to rouse her.
"Mom, what happened to you? Don't scare me like this!"
Her cries were raw, filled with hysteria. Then, as if suddenly remembering my presence, she turned on me, her eyes blazing with accusation.
"Arabelle!" she shrieked. "What have I ever done to you? How could you be so cruel? My mom barely has any time left to live and you—"
She choked on a sob, her body trembling.
Jonah stood frozen, his usual composure cracking at the sight of so much blood. His hemophobia was well-known—he could hardly look, yet he forced himself to act.
Jaw clenched, he grabbed his phone, dialing emergency services. But that didn't stop him from lashing out. With unbridled fury, he sent a vicious kick to my chest. Pain exploded through me, knocking the breath from my lungs.