LIANA’S POV
I woke up to the golden streaks of sunlight pouring through the tall windows of the Benetts’ mansion. The light illuminated the room, soft and warm, but I felt anything but comforted. The bed beneath me was soft, the duvet cocooned around my frame like a protective shield, but my chest felt heavy. My heart ached. I rubbed my temples, hoping to massage away the sting of regret and self-loathing that had lodged itself there overnight.
The memory of the previous day played on repeat in my mind. Reed’s expression—cold, distant, and devoid of the warmth I had begun to cherish—was burned into my memory. His silence had spoken louder than any words. If Raiden begs me properly, I’ll go back to him.
A foolish statement, born of my own fear and anger, and now, the sting of its afterm
