Jade’s apartment was clean, minimal, a little cold, like her. But there was warmth in the way she opened the door and pulled me into her arms, no hesitation. She didn’t ask if I was okay. She already knew the answer.
She just held me.
I didn’t realize I was still crying until I felt the wetness soak through her T-shirt. She didn’t flinch. Just rubbed slow, steady circles against my back and whispered, “You’re safe here. My brother is an i***t. And Eva was never your friend. She wanted to be you.”
My fingers clutched the fabric at her shoulder. I hated how weak I sounded when I said it aloud.
“I walked in on them.” My throat burned. “My best friend. And him.”
She didn’t say anything.
She stepped back, took my hand, and led me inside. I noticed her eyes didn’t leave my face. She handed
