CHAPTER 22

Eva ran. She couldn’t take it anymore. She had to leave the hall. She ran outside, breathing heavily. Her chest heaved. Her lungs burned as if they had been filled with smoke. She didn’t stop. She couldn’t. Her mind was spinning. Her vision blurred with tears as the photograph echoed over and over in her thoughts. That photo… “All this time…” she whispered to herself. “I was hoping to get closer to who I am. And now… the truth is just blood and cruelty” She tripped over a root and caught herself against the trunk of a tall tree. She didn’t stop herself or try to steady herself. She let herself sink slowly down until her knees hit the ground. Her fingers gripped at the bark as if it was the only thing keeping her from falling apart completely. Memories rushed through her in painful waves: the stolen glances with Zayne, their connection, the way he made her feel safe, the reassurances, their laughter, the rare comfort she felt in his arms—all of it now felt like a cruel, twisted j