Before It Was Too Late

Rome, Italy.

Alliana's pov:

My heart dropped when Souline told me Velma had died. "W-What?" I stuttered, my eyes filling with tears and my lips trembling. Souline nodded, tears brimming in her own eyes. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Souline sighed, her expression filled with guilt. "Alliana, I couldn't bring myself to tell you. You've been through so much—abducted, stressed out, panicking for weeks... and thinking about suicide after Oreo died," Souline explained softly.

My gaze shifted downward, and I saw the bloodstains on the sheets. "Alliana, I'm so sorry. You have no idea how hard it was to hold that back. But seeing your condition... everything you've been through... I couldn't keep it from you anymore," she continued. I sniffed sharply, blinking away the tears before meeting Souline's eyes again.