_Lyla's POV_
The next morning, I woke up feeling drained. The weight of what I had read the night before still clung to me, making my chest feel heavy. My stomach twisted uncomfortably, and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to eat anything. I wasn’t in the mood for breakfast.
I wanted Aaron to come back. His presence always made me feel safe. But he wasn’t here, and the silence of the room only made the anxiety worse. I wished I hadn’t read that book. Now, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Despite my lack of appetite, I forced myself to get dressed and head down to the dining hall. Skipping meals wouldn’t help anything. Maybe if I sat with the others, it would take my mind off everything.
But as soon as I entered the hall, I regretted my decision. Aaron’s father sat at the head of the ta
