CHAPTER NINETY SIX

ELIZABETH:

It felt strange to be back at school, like stepping into a world that had moved on without me. The familiar sounds of chatter in the hallways, the rustling of papers, the ring of the bell—it all seemed so normal, yet I felt completely out of place.

I walked through the halls, my head down, avoiding the stares and whispers that followed me. Everyone knew what had happened. They knew my father had been arrested.

They knew about the kidnapping, the beatings, and the gunshot that had nearly killed me. And yet, despite the weight of it all, life around me continued as if nothing had changed.

I wasn’t sure if I was ready for any of it.

As I made my way to my first class, I spotted Alex standing by the lockers, waiting for me. She caught my eye and gave me a small, sympathetic smile before rushing over to me, her arms outstretched.

“Betty, hey!” she greeted me, pulling me into a tight hug. “I’m so glad you’re back. How are you feeling?”

I didn’t know how to answer that. I hadn’t