Aliana’s POV

I stared at her, my chest tightening with something I couldn’t name.

Lola had been my friend once. Someone I trusted.

And she had turned on me. The second thing got hard.

“Do you know what they did to me because of you?” I asked, my voice low.

She looked away. “I didn’t want—”

“Answer me.”

Her shoulders tensed. “I know they hurt you.”

I let the silence stretch.

“That’s all you have to say?” I asked, my voice calm but sharp.

Tears welled in her eyes. “I was scared.”

I shook my head. “So was I.”

Her lips parted, but she didn’t speak.

I exhaled slowly, trying...