That night, Alaric didn't come back.
She lay awake for most of the night, staring at the ceiling, listening for footsteps that never came.
Nathaniel was with his nannies again, and the guilt sat heavy in her chest, but she couldn't bring herself to be what he needed when she felt like she was falling apart herself.
By morning, exhaustion clung to her like damp cloth.
She washed, dressed, moved through the routine without really being present.
Her reflection looked fine, there were no red eyes, no signs of the storm inside her, but her chest felt tight, like she hadn't taken a full breath in hours.
She couldn't stay like this.
If she stayed alone with her thoughts much longer, they would tear her apart.
She needed to talk to someone.
Someone who wouldn't report her words to Alaric. Someone she could trust with her life.
Katherine.
The decision settled quickly. Daphne didn't overthink it, afraid she'd lose the courage if she did.
