Lara clung desperately to the shards of her composure.
She couldn’t break down. Not here. The air in the car felt suffocating, pressing against her like an invisible weight, but she forced herself to breathe. Deep, steady inhales. Measured exhales. As if that would stop the ache spreading in her chest, as if that would erase what she had just seen.
“Hey, are you okay, Lara?”
Ali’s voice snapped her back to reality.
Lara flinched, hastily wiping at her eyes before forcing a smile—one that she hoped looked convincing.
“Y-Yeah… I’m fine. Just a little tired, I guess.”
Lies.
But what else was she supposed to say?
Ali, seated in the passenger seat, didn’t look convinced. Her sharp eyes narrowed, scanning Lara’s face like she could see every c***k in her facade. “You sure?”
Before Lara
