Before the truth, there was trust.
Before the lies, something that felt real.
Elena Voss had believed in that once—
that people stayed,
that love meant loyalty,
that friendship meant safety.
The storm took that from her.
And it didn’t give it back.
---
Rain poured through the alley, washing over blood that refused to disappear.
Elena stood still, staring at the empty space where Mia had been.
Gone.
No explanation. No apology.
Just her voice echoing:
You were leverage.
Her knees nearly gave out.
Adrian caught her before she fell. “Careful.”
She flinched—not from him, but from the uncertainty that came with any touch now.
“Don’t,” she whispered.
He let go immediately. “I understand.”
She didn’t answer. Because no one could understand what it felt like to have your reality
