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~Eva’s POV
The waiter came by to clear our plates, breaking the moment. I realized I had barely touched my food. My appetite had vanished, replaced by a tight knot of anticipation and fear.
“When this goes public,” I said, “there will be no going back.”
She nodded. “That is why it works.”
I laughed quietly, without humor. “You make it sound so simple.”
“It is not simple,” she corrected. “It is necessary.”
I sat there for a long moment, letting the truth of that sink in. I thought of Dylan’s face that morning. Cold. Distant. Certain that I would bend, like I always did.
Slowly, I straightened my shoulders.
“Alright,” I said. “We do it.”
A satisfied smile curved her lips. “Good.”
I hesitated for a second as we walked toward the car, the question pressing against my chest until
