Lena’s voice cracked as she finished telling the story, the last words tumbling out of her mouth like broken glass, and for a heartbeat the room was utterly silent, heavy with everything that had just been laid bare.
Then Lana exploded.
“Oh my God!” she shouted, jumping to her feet as tears flooded her eyes.
“Oh my God, Lena—this is insane. This is horrifying.” Her hands flew to her mouth before she dropped them again, pacing the small living room like a caged animal. “I can’t believe this happened to you. You should have told him the truth and gotten the hell out of there. From what you’re telling me, that man is a psycho!”
Lena shook her head immediately, violently, as if the very idea made her nauseous.
“I couldn’t,” she said, her voice hoarse. “I couldn’t, Lana. You don’t unders
