Lara's POV
My pulse hammered so violently I thought I might faint. The restroom lights were too bright and the scent of roses mixed with citrus cleaner wrapped around me like a trap. The marble counter chilled my spine as I pressed against it, cornered between the mirror and the woman who held my nightmare in the palm of her hand.
Serene's eyes sparkled with cruel amusement.
"Relax, Lara," she said, her voice dipped in false kindness. "I am not here to kill you. You are not worth that much effort. I came to help you understand."
Her tone made the word help feel diseased.
"I love Marco," she said, proudly lifting her chin as if announcing a title that belonged to her by birthright. "He loved me too. I was foolish to let jealousy cloud my judgment. I almost hurt you and he saved you out of duty." Serene's eyes narrowed into sharp slits. "Not love. Duty."
I flinched as the word struck my chest like a blow.
