MALIA’S POV

“Thank you, Zach,” I said softly. “For everything.”

He smiled, reaching out to take my hand. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m just glad I could help.”

We sat there in silence for a moment, the weight of everything that had happened hanging in the air between us. Finally, Zach gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “Get some rest, Malia. You need it. We can talk tomorrow,” he said and I knew that he could see the questions and the turmoil in my eyes.

I nodded, knowing he was right. But even as I lay down beside Ella, my mind refused to quiet. The memories, the fear,...