Harper looked at Maya, eyes glistening, her own grief mirrored in her friend’s tears. A soft sob escaped before she could stop it, and she quickly covered her mouth, ashamed of interrupting. But she couldn’t help it—hearing Malia’s sacrifice framed this way made her feel both sorrow and awe.
Nick shifted, his usual composure slipping. He masked it with a low exhale, running a hand over his jaw, but his eyes betrayed the truth: respect, maybe even guilt. Dahlia’s words had made something click, and for once, he had no snide remark, no shield of sarcasm to fall back on.
Dahlia let her gaze sweep over each of them—Damien with his guarded strength, Maya trembling yet unbroken in his arms, Harper still shaken but brave, Nick silent and brooding in the corner. Her voice dropped, solemn but ste
