"No! Don't—" Alina's voice rang out suddenly, sharp and raw, slicing through the chaos like a blade. It echoed across the spacious office floor, loud enough to force every conversation, every whisper, every movement to halt at once.
All eyes turned toward her. She stood rigid where she was, her body locked in place as if she'd been frozen by her own words. Her chest rose and fell unevenly, breath coming too fast, too shallow. Her fingers trembled violently as she stared down at her hands.
They were stained red. Blood smeared across her knuckles, streaked along the side of her palm, already beginning to dry in uneven patches. The sight made her stomach twist painfully. Her heart slammed against her ribs, beating so hard it felt like it might shatter.
