My heart stopped for a moment, and I felt the tension rise in my chest. I knew Stella wasn’t trying to pry, but the question hit harder than I expected.
"I..." My voice faltered. I couldn't tell her about Nicolas. Not now. Not ever, if I could help it.
I shook my head quickly, panic setting in. “I don't want to talk about this right now.” I could see the wheels turning in Stella’s mind, her curiosity getting the better of her, but I needed to stop this before it went any further. “Is that okay?"
Stella studied me for a moment, clearly not satisfied with my vague answers. But she didn’t push. “Okay,” she said softly. “Whenever you’re ready, I’m here.”
I exhaled a shaky breath, grateful that she was giving me space. I wasn’t ready to tell her the whole truth—not about Nicolas, not about
