Shattered Restraint

CASSIA

I don’t know how long I sat there, staring at nothing, listening to my own heartbeat thud too loudly in my ears. But eventually, something in me snapped—not fear this time, not shock.

Purpose.

I was on my feet before I fully realized it, the lingering tremor in my legs ignored as I turned toward the stairs. The image of him collapsing into unconsciousness replayed over and over in my mind,