Lily’s POV

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and hurried toward Max. He was still on the ground, one hand pressed against his bleeding lip, the other clutching his stomach where Lucian’s last punch had landed hard. Guilt twisted in my chest like a knife.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered as I reached him, offering both hands. “This is all my fault.”

Max looked up at me, blood still smeared across his chin, and shook his head. He reached up with surprising gentleness and wiped a fresh tear from my cheek with his thumb. “It’s not your fault, Lily. Don’t blame yourself. None of this is...