MALIA’S POV

My hair was a mess, my eyes were puffy, and there was a faint flush on my cheeks that hadn’t quite faded. I splashed some cold water on my face, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep and the confusion swirling in my mind.

Zach’s words echoed in my head: “I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.” It was comforting, but it also scared me. I wasn’t sure I could handle letting him in again, not with everything that was at stake.

I sighed and turned on the shower, hoping that a few minutes under the hot water would help clear my head. As the steam began...