Her voice cracked, raw with grief and anger.
“Why would you pair me with someone like him?”
Nick had nothing to gain from lying.
Nothing—except her pain.
Except watching her fall.
The thought burned, sinking deep into her chest like poison.
She barely noticed when a soft warmth spread through her, a gentle presence wrapping around her broken heart.
“I’m here,” Avalon whispered.
Her voice was quiet, trembling, filled with a sadness that mirrored Iva’s own.
“You are not alone.”
Iva’s sobs slowed, turning into shaky breaths as she pressed her face into the pillow, letting Avalon’s presence settle around her like a fragile shield.
“I don’t understand,” Iva whispered hoarsely. “I did everything right. I tried so hard. But my parents didn’t even tried to listen to me.”
“I know,” Aval
