Lila’s POV
“Seriously, Maren,” I mutter, glancing down at her hand looped around my arm, “you don’t need to hold me like some sick patient. I can definitely walk on my own. See?”
I take a step forward, forcing a small grin to prove my point, but Maren just shakes her head.
“Then you shouldn’t have allowed yourself to get hurt in the first place.”
Her voice sounds heavier than usual, edged with something like pain.
I scoff, rolling my eyes.
“Not like anyone plans to get themselves hurt on purpose. I slipped by accident, that’s all.”
“And you expect me to believe that?” she says, tilting her head, her tone sharpening. “You really don’t have to tell me. But I can already guess Aurelia had something to do with it.”
I stop mid-step, my breath catching as I look at her.
“Don’t give me t
