Aria's POV
I pulled out the torn fragment of the "Cl" wristband and held it up to her. "Let me see your wristband, Claudia. This was found in my father's hand!"
But Claudia instantly raised the intact band on her own wrist. "Aria! You'd use some ruined scrap of a wristband to frame me—how could you!"
I looked at that perfect, unbroken band, and a chill ran through me.
I hadn't expected it—Claudia had come prepared too.
"Aria, I understand how you feel, but you need evidence for these things, not slander!"
Claudia stroked the marks on her own throat and wailed, "Aria! How could I possibly kill anyone? I can't even beat you!"
I tilted my head. "Do you have proof?"
She froze. Then she spun around and threw herself into Damon's arms. "Damon! The marks on my throat! The handprints on my
