Biting the Bullet

Isabella stared intently at Aurora, gritting her teeth as she said, "It was you! You did this! You framed me!"

Aurora smiled slightly. Compared to Isabella's recent feigned madness and weary demeanor, she looked radiant.

Aurora tightly gripped Isabella's wrist, while her other hand reached around to take the table lamp from her, placing it steadily on the bedside table. Then she looked at Isabella and said with a smile, "So what if it was me? What good does it do you to know? Everyone here thinks you're insane, lashing out with a knife at the slightest provocation!"

"Aurora!" Isabella called out through clenched teeth.

Aurora put her finger to her lips, making a "shh" sound, and said, "Cousin, you're supposed to be crazy now. You can't so easily call out my name!"

Isabella glanced cautiously at the door and lowered her voice, asking, "What exactly do you want?"

"Me?" Aurora laughed and said, "I don't want anything. I'm just helping you fulfill your wish of truly becoming insane. Now,