Chapter Seven

~Mel~

The plan was simple enough. Sneak out of the mansion, go to the party, try to have fun—or at least pretend to—sneak back in before Carmine returned, and act like none of it ever happened.

After convincing me to go, Ellie dragged me to her room. The moment I stepped inside, I was overwhelmed by its vibrancy. Her space was a kaleidoscope of colors, a stark contrast to the dark, oppressive mansion. It was impossible not to feel at least a tiny bit of happiness here. The room practically radiated with Ellie’s infectious energy, the kind that made you feel like anything was possible, even if just for a little while.

As I stood there, momentarily lost in the joyful atmosphere, Ellie was already rummaging through her closet, pulling out clothes and tossing them at me with an enthusiasm that was hard to resist. She seemed to have endless outfits, and though part of me was tempted to resist this little game of dress-up, I found myself giving in. Maybe it was because I’d forgotten what it