TWENTY FOUR

Cassa’s POV

I gripped the glass in my hand, blinked away my tears, and drained its contents. I wouldn't cry—they didn't deserve my tears, I told myself firmly.

My grandparents had left after lunch, and though I tried to eat, a knot of sickness, coldness, and anger tightened in my stomach. I pretended I was fine, but the truth was the opposite.

All my things had been moved from the Mayor's house. Not a single item truly belonged to me, and the promised talk with Julius never happened. He left me in this house with his parents.

His mother had given me a tour of the house, steering me away from the sharp stare of her husband. We talked like normal people, but the heaviness in my heart grew with every step. Exhausted, I apologized to her and said I needed to rest. As soon as my body touched the bed, I fell into a deep sleep.

When I awoke, the Mayor was in my room, closing the door behind him. A cold glass sat on the nightstand.

I sat up, placing the empty glass back. Julius was sitting acr