CIAN
The bathroom door was cold against my palm. I pushed it open and stepped through. My reflection stared back at me from the mirror. Dark circles under my eyes. Jaw tight enough to crack teeth.
I looked away.
The bedroom stretched behind me through the doorway. Uncle Aldric sat in one of the drawers near the window. His presence had always been steady. Reliable. Even when everything else fell apart.
"I was so close to saving my mother."
The words came out rough. My throat felt raw. I crossed the room toward him. Each step felt heavier than the last.
"It was like that jerk found it funny. Decided to take it right from under me."
Aldric's expression didn't change. He watched me with those sharp eyes that saw too much. Always had.
I stopped in front of him. My hands curled into fists at my sides.
