Chapter 19

Ashley's POV

"Ashley!" I heard a distant scream, my body feeling weightless, as though I was falling into an abyss. Panic surged through me, my heart hammering against my chest. But then, strong arms caught me, and the world seemed to slow.

"Are you okay?" Liam's voice was steady, calm in the chaos, but his grip around me was like iron. His warm hands cupped my face, and I could feel the heat of concern in his touch.

The twins rushed up beside us, their faces etched with worry, their frantic movements adding to the confusion. They gently laid me on the couch, their eyes scanning me for any signs of injury.

"Ashley, can you hear me?" Freya’s voice pierced the haze, her hand waving in front of my face.

"I… I can hear you," I stammered, the fog lifting as my mind scrambled to piece together the shattered pieces of the night. The blood, the violence, Steven's chilling coldness—it was all too much.

Freya's voice was a soft comfort, but it only reminded me of the horror I’d witnessed. "Tim