H A I L E Y
"She's also a victim," I said. "She was used by her father, just like we were. He manipulated her, just like he's manipulating everyone else."
"So what?" he shot back. "That doesn't excuse what she did. That doesn't erase the pain she's caused. She deserves to pay for her crimes."
"And she will," I said firmly. "By helping us take down her father. By helping us stop this war before it even begins. That's her payment. That's her justice."
Liam looked from me to Emily, then back to me. "You can’t trust her, mom. You think she will suddenly be on our side? You think she wouldn’t betray us the first chance she gets? The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree."
"I don't trust her either," I admitted. "But I trust her desperation. And I trust her fear. She knows her father is comi
