Chapter 45

DANTE'S POV

The little girl looked up at me, her eyes wide, innocent, but sure. “I saw her—” she pointed again at Linda, “she was hurting herself. She used that bracelet on her own hand. And the other lady, the one who left, she told her to stop. But she wouldn’t listen.”

I felt the blood drain from my face. Linda… had hurt herself?

My eyes shifted to Linda, who now looked pale, her face tight with fear. “What?” she squeaked, trying to sound angry but failing miserably. “Good grief! What is this child talking about?”

The little girl continued, her expression serious, “She took the bracelet from the other lady, and then she cut her own hand. I saw it.”

I stared at Linda, feeling a cold fury building inside me, my fists clenching unconsciously. “Is this true?” I asked, my voice low, almost a growl. “Did you really do this to yourself, Linda?”

She looked like a trapped animal, her eyes darting around. “She’s lying,” Linda said quickly, pointing at the little girl. Her voice was high-pitc