Lucian’s smirk returned, sharp and cutting. “This isn’t about lies, Peniel. This is about you. You’re jealous.”
“Jealous?” I scoffed, taking a step back. The word struck me harder than I cared to admit. “You think I care enough about you to be jealous? Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Oh, but you do,” he countered, his voice dripping with smug certainty. “That’s why you keep throwing Celestria in my face. You’re angry that I cared about her—angry that I still do.”
His words hit like a punch to the gut. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, though my voice faltered, betraying me.
“Don’t I?” he pressed, his confidence growing as he took another step toward me. “You’ve been keeping your distance, making excuses, pretending you don’t feel anything. But every time Celestria’s name co
