Chapter 41: The Flame Between Truth and Trust
The hallway was silent except for the soft thuds of Lena’s bare feet on the cold marble floor. She clutched Jay’s oversized hoodie tighter around herself, her fingers trembling—not from the chill, but from the storm still raging inside her. The secrets, the glimpses of Ava, the call Jay wouldn’t explain—it was too much.
Jay was seated on the edge of the bed, elbows on his knees, staring down at the floor like it might offer answers. His expression was unreadable, but the darkness in his eyes seemed to pulse with conflict.
“You’re not going to say anything?” Lena asked, voice taut. “You’re just going to sit there after lying to me?”
“I didn’t lie,” he replied calmly, lifting his eyes to meet hers. “I just didn’t tell you everything.”
She le
