/Zane's POV/
Why did I lie to her?
Why did I lie to her? The question kept circling my mind like a dull, persistent headache ever since I sobered up. Was it to protect Allison? I wasn't even sure anymore. But the thought of Madison's opinion of her sister shifting—curdling—if she found out the truth… that part scared me.
I couldn't bring myself to finish reviewing all her texts with Elias. After the blackmail, every other line felt like rubbing salt into raw skin—too sharp, too painful to keep reading.
Maybe she wasn't who I thought she was, but she could have come to me. I could have helped her. We could have handled this together if only she trusted me a little more.
Why'd she even keep this to herself?
