MATHILDA'S POV

A loud knock on the door jolted me awake at two in the morning. My heart instantly raced with fear-what if something had happened to my father? News that comes in the middle of the night is never good news.

"Yes, I'm coming," I called softly, clutching the edge of my pajama top to steady my trembling hands. My pulse thudded painfully in my chest as I whispered a silent prayer. Please, God, let this not be about my father.

When the door opened, the last person I expected to see wa