Cassie's POV
I slammed my bedroom door so hard the frame rattled. The sound echoed through the hall, but I didn’t care. Let them hear. Let the whole damn house know I was pissed.
My chest heaved as I stalked across the room, fists clenched, nails digging into my palms. I paced, once, twice, then again, each step pounding out the rage in my veins. My mind wouldn’t stop replaying it , the way the chairman's voice had droned out those words: self-defense. The way Annabel’s face had lit up with relief, like she was some innocent lamb being freed. And Justin. God, Justin. Standing outside, waiting for her like she was worth protecting, worth choosing.
My stomach twisted so hard I had to stop moving. I pressed my hands to my temples, squeezing my eyes shut, but it didn’t help. The images onl
