Just as she reached the doorway, a clattering sound echoed from the bathroom, freezing her mid-step. Her heart stuttered. She moved toward the slightly ajar door, careful to stay silent, her breath shallow as curiosity and dread twisted inside her.
Veronica hoped she would find Esther indulging in something innocent—splashing water or rearranging bottles. But what she saw instead sent a cold wave of disbelief through her. There, on the bathroom floor, Esther was unwrapping a box of tampons.