I swallowed hard, the truth of the situation washing over me. Could I really do it? Could I live with Cross again, after everything he’d put me through? The memories, the hurt, the betrayal—it all felt so fresh, so raw. But in the end, it came down to Vincent. I loved him. I couldn’t lose him. I had to do this for him.
“I can do it,” I said, my voice stronger now, the resolve taking hold. “For Vincent’s sake, I can do it. You need to trust me, Emily. I’ll handle it.”
Emily’s face softened, though I could see the doubt still lingering in her eyes. “I trust you, Nora,” she said quietly.
“But I just want you to be sure. This... this won’t be easy. You’ll have to fight your own battles with him, and I don’t know if you’re ready for that.”
“I don’t have a choice,” I said, my voice steady n
