Chapter 23
Caroline's POV The front door closed behind me with a soft click. It wasn't loud. It didn't need to be. Somehow, that tiny sound felt heavier than every slammed door I'd heard growing up in the Thompson house. It was the sound of twenty-four years ending all at once. I stood on the front porch for several seconds, staring blankly at the quiet street. I should have felt relieved. Instead, I felt... empty. The sedative was slowly wearing off, and with every passing minute my thoughts became clearer. Unfortunately, so did the pain. Not the pain in my ankle or the bruises Cerene had left all over my body. The pain in my heart was real. Pricking inside my heart like a thousand needles. I lowered my eyes to the silver necklace still hanging around my neck. Dad had placed it there with
- Writer
