ALLISON’S POV
“Explain this to me like I’m five,” I say to Chioma. “Because literally nothing you said over the call yesterday landed in my brain.”
She exhales, clearly trying to stay patient. “Allie, you’ve been out for two weeks and you just had surgery. We thought it would be best for Celeste to step in and play your part while you recover.”
My eyes flick to Celeste, standing all calm and annoyingly put-together beside her, and anger flares inside me. No way on earth am I letting her replace me. Not a chance, not even close.
“You make it sound like I’ve been away for two weeks on some vacation,” I snap. “I had a car crash and almost died.”
“Exactly, that’s the point.” She swallows and whispers, “We just… felt like you need time to… to get better. It must have been traumatic, and it
