I froze in place, my fingertips icy, forgetting even to breathe.
Then, a soft yet piercing voice sounded from behind me—
“Aria, what are you doing standing at your brother’s study door so late?”
It was Evangeline.
I turned to face her, calm and steady.
Her eyes flickered suddenly, as if something had been seen through.
Even though I hadn’t done anything, she recoiled, her face pale, her voice trembling.
“A… Aria, please don’t look at me with such hatred. I’m… scared.”
I said nothing, just stood there.
But the next second, Nathaniel shoved me violently.
“What are you trying to do to Evangeline?!”
The push was so strong that I almost lost my balance. My steps faltered, and my back slammed against the railing on the second floor. The cold iron pressed into my chest, making it hard
