Elisabeth's POV
Breathe, Elisabeth. Just breathe.
The words echoed in my head like a broken record, but they weren't helping. My pulse hammered against my ribs, and fury burned hot in my chest. Every pair of eyes in the ballroom seemed glued to me, waiting to see what would happen next.
I was beyond angry.
This was supposed to be my night. My birthday, my ball. Alana and I had already celebrated with our usual morning tradition, which should have been enough, but this was still my moment. And I'd be damned if I let these people destroy it.
My legs moved before my brain could stop them. I closed the distance between us in quick, determined steps, and before any of them could speak, I cut through the whispered conversations around us.
"I didn't invite any of you," I said, my voice cold as winter steel. "You need to leave. Now."
