Daphne's POV
The phone pressed against my leg buzzed incessantly. Each vibration sent waves of dread through my body as the screen glowed beneath my dress fabric.
Father.
I knew without looking. The relentless buzzing continued, each ring carrying his fury across the distance. Not here. Not with everyone watching.
The stares had begun the moment I emerged from that bathroom. Whispers trailed behind me like predators, their voices sharp with judgment. I kept my head high, my damaged hands pressed against my sides where the bleeding had finally stopped, though the agony still pulsed with every heartbeat.
"Disgusting creature."
A woman's voice cut through the air behind me, dripping with contempt.
"Absolutely vile."
A man joined in, his tone heavy with condemnation.
"She radiates pure evil."
