Even as adrenaline raced through her veins and her heart pounded like a war drum against her ribs, she knew this act alone wouldn't protect her entirely. But it was a start.
Before Santiago could react, before his controlled composure could fully register the shock of her boldness, Daniella pulled back just enough to shove past him. Her legs carried her with frantic speed, adrenaline surging through her body like fire, and she bolted into the corridor.
"I need some water before leaving!" she shouted, her voice echoing off the walls, urgent and raw.
The sound of her own words seemed to anchor her, reminding her that she was still in control of her body, her choices, even if just for this stolen moment. Her hands instinctively clutched her abdomen as she raced toward the end of the corridor, each step measured against the sharp ache that still lingered in her side from the earlier violence.
