But Elara wasn’t finished.
She glanced at my bedside table, then—without warning—picked up the lamp and slammed it onto the floor.
The glass shattered.
“What the hell are you doing?” I snapped, every instinct in me flaring.
Elara’s grin widened. “Just watch.”
Then she dropped down like a puppet with its strings cut and pressed both hands into the broken shards.
Blood welled instantly.
My stomach turned. “Are you insane?”
Elara threw her head back and screamed, loud enough for the entire floor to hear.
“I’m sorry, Lyra!” she sobbed. “It’s my fault, I swear! Hurt me if you have to, but please—please don’t leave the children!”
I stared at her, stunned.
“What is wrong with you?” I hissed.
The door flew open so hard it nearly hit the wall.
Magnus stormed in, the twins right behind him. His eyes went sharp and dangerous the moment he saw Elara on the floor, bleeding like a martyr.
His gaze snapped to me.
“How could you do this?” he growled. “She’s sick, Lyra. Have you lost every shred of decency?”
“I didn’t touch her,” I said, my voice steady.
Elara sobbed harder. “Magnus, don’t yell at her… it’s not her fault…”
The twins shoved forward, faces twisted with hate.
“How dare you hurt our new mommy!” Ian shouted.
Vale bared his teeth. “Haven’t we punished you enough? Why are you still here?”
Their words didn’t even sting anymore. They’d said worse. Done worse.
I didn’t look at any of them. I kept packing.
“I’m leaving,” I said coolly. “That’s what you all want, right?”
Magnus lunged before I could take another step. His hand clamped around my arm, iron-strong, and he dragged me out into the hall.
Then he shoved me into the cramped storage closet across from my room.
The door slammed.
“Stay in there until you learn your lesson!” he snarled.
“Magnus!” I screamed, slamming my fists against the door. “Let me out!”
The lock clicked.
And then his footsteps disappeared.
My breath caught in my throat.
He knew.
He knew I couldn’t stand tight spaces. He knew it made my skin crawl, made my lungs seize, made my mind spiral.
And he still did it.
Like I was an animal he could cage.
Tears slid down my cheeks before I could stop them. I wiped them away viciously.
No.
Crying wouldn’t help. None of them deserved my tears. None of them deserved my love.
I pressed my back to the wall and forced my heartbeat to slow.