The hallway felt like it was holding its breath.
Caspian stood between the two people who clearly knew far more about her life than she did.
Her mother.
And Riven.
Both silent.
Both watching each other like old enemies who had suddenly met again after years.
"You two know each other," Caspian repeated, her voice sharper this time.
Her mother's eyes stayed fixed on Riven.
"I thought you were dead," she said quietly.
Riven didn't even blink.
"I was supposed to be."
The calmness in his voice made the air feel colder.
Caspian's heart pounded faster.
"Someone explain," she demanded. "Now."
Her mother slowly folded her arms.
"You want the truth?" she said. "Then listen carefully."
Caspian waited.
But her mother didn't look at her.
She looked at Riven.
"You should tell her," she said.
"After all… you were the one who brought her into this mess."
Caspian's head snapped toward him.
"What does that mean?"
Riven's expression tightened slightly.
But he didn't avoid her gaze.
"The night of the shooting," he said slowly, "was never meant to involve you."
Caspian felt a chill crawl up her spine.
"What?"
"The bullet wasn't meant for me," he continued.
Her mother's jaw tightened.
Riven kept speaking.
"It was meant for you."
The words hit Caspian like a physical blow.
"That doesn't make sense," she whispered.
"Why would anyone want to kill me?"
Riven's eyes darkened.
"Because of who you are."
Caspian shook her head.
"You just said my whole life was a lie. So who exactly am I?"
Silence filled the hallway.
Her mother finally spoke again.
"You were never supposed to know."
"Clearly," Caspian snapped.
Her mother ignored the anger.
"You were placed with us to keep you hidden," she said quietly.
"Hidden from who?"
Riven answered this time.
"From the people who wanted you dead."
Caspian felt dizzy.
Every answer only created more questions.
"And the shooting?" she asked.
Riven's voice softened slightly.
"That night, someone found you."
The memory flickered faintly in her mind again.
Rain.
Sirens.
Blood.
"You stepped in front of me," Caspian said slowly.
Riven nodded once.
"I took the bullet before it reached you."
Her breath caught.
"So you died…"
"For you."
The hallway went completely silent.
Caspian stared at him.
"You expect me to believe that?" she whispered.
Riven didn't react to the disbelief.
But her mother did.
"That part," she said quietly, "is true."
Caspian looked at her mother in shock.
"You're agreeing with him?"
Her mother sighed.
"Yes."
For the first time, there was no manipulation in her voice.
Just exhaustion.
"That night changed everything," she said.
"And none of us have escaped it since."
Caspian's heart raced.
But the most terrifying thought had just appeared in her mind.
"If someone tried to kill me once…" she said slowly,
"What's stopping them from trying again?"