Lauren closed her eyes. The word hurt because it held no anger. It was simply the truth. I had no intention of forgiving what happened. Ethan’s manipulation explained the scheme.

It didn’t erase Lauren’s choices. She had lied to me for months. She had mocked my trust. She had signed documents without asking why my name was on them.

She had gone to Ethan’s house while I was away and laughed loudly enough for me to hear. Whatever Ethan faced, Lauren had built consequences of her own.

My phone buzzed. This time Lauren sent a message instead of calling. I am sorry. Then a second. I did not know what he was doing. Then a third.

Please answer me. I read them without responding.

Martin watched me set the phone facedown. “You can leave the room,” he said. “You don’t have to keep watching.”