25
~ Bella's POV
I woke up with a pounding headache, my eyes swollen and sore from crying all night. The heaviness in my chest felt like it hadn't lifted an inch. I wanted to roll over and drift back to sleep, but the incessant banging on my door yanked me out of bed.
"Bella!" A shrill voice rang out, loud enough to make my heart leap. "Thief! Open this door, you little rat!"
I froze. It was Clara.
"Give me back my money!" she screamed, banging harder.
I stumbled to my feet, every muscle in my body weak as I shuffled toward the door. My hands shook, and my mind raced. What was she talking about? I didn't take anything.
"Open this damn door!" Clara yelled again, her voice like nails on a chalkboard. "You think you can steal from me and get away with it?"
I stopped just short of the door, my breath catching. "I—I didn't take your money," I whispered to myself, my voice trembling.
