LILY
The moment we stepped into Bella’s room, I knew there was no hiding, no smooth excuse I could offer. The door clicked shut behind us, and she turned to face me, arms crossed, and eyes narrowed in that way that always made me feel like she could read every thought in my head.
“Okay,” she said slowly, voice deceptively calm. “Tell me everything.”
My stomach twisted, my throat tightening, and I dropped onto her bed, hands fidgeting in my lap. “Bella… I… we’ve been… It’s been a while. Roland and I…” I trailed off, shame curling in my chest, unable to find words that would soften the confession.
Her eyebrows rose sharply, and she tilted her head. “You’ve been sleeping with him?”
I nodded miserably. “Yes. I—I know it’s wrong. I’ve been sneaking around, and I betrayed Alex’s trust, and
