Severing Ties

The heels of their shoes clicked against the grand marble steps in a steady, synchronized rhythm. Chloe walked beside Stella, her chest tight with a heavy, suffocating weight. Through the flawless omniscience of the Rumor System, Chloe bore witness to the agonizing truth of Stella’s deeply tragic past, watching the memories unfold like a grim movie behind her eyes.

Chloe had grown up without a f