ALAN POV
My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest. I couldn’t meet Amber’s eyes as I started speaking, but I could feel her staring at me, waiting, bracing herself for whatever ugly truths I was about to lay bare.
I stole a glance at Alek, who stood by the door with his arms crossed, his expression as hard as stone. He gave me a sharp nod, and I knew I couldn’t hold back anymore. Amber deserved the truth, all of it, no matter how much it hurt.
“Jewel,” I began, my voice rasping as if the words were sandpaper on my throat. “You need to know... things weren’t just bad when we were kids. They got worse.”
Her brows knitted together, and her hands tightened on the blanket draped over her lap. I could see the storm brewing behind her eyes, but I had to
