Delilah's POV
I didn't know where I was going. I just knew I had to get away from the packhouse, away from Mateo's poison still burning in my ears, away from the kitchen staff who'd watched me break and done nothing.
The forest path stretched ahead of me and I followed it blindly with tears streaming down my face and my chest heaving with sobs I couldn't control. My feet stumbled over roots and rocks but I didn't slow down, didn't stop, just kept moving because stopping meant thinking and thinking meant remembering and I couldn't handle remembering right now.
"Delilah!"
Mom's voice, sharp and worried, came from behind me.
I walked faster.
"Delilah, stop!"
Footsteps pounded after me and then her hand caught my arm, spinning me around. She took one look at my face and her expression s
