Chapter 65

The moment I rushed into the room, the sight that met me was enough to freeze me in place. Aina stood there, clutching the bed sheet tightly against her body, faint streaks of blood staining her skin. My mother, who had followed closely behind, gasped loudly—and that was when my eyes dropped to Walton. He was sprawled on the floor, chest heaving faintly, barely clinging to life.

I moved quickly to Aina, scanning her body with frantic eyes, desperate to see if she had been harmed in any way.

“I’m not hurt… he is,” she said softly, searching my gaze. But I couldn’t allow myself to believe it just yet. If there was even the slightest scratch on her, I would never forgive myself.

“What happened?” I demanded.

“I just came out of the shower and was about to dress when he burst in,” she explained, her voice trembling. The words tore through me—she had been vulnerable, exposed. Rage burned hot in my veins at the thought that he might have seen her like that.

“T