Arlo stepped closer, voice calm, almost mocking. “Asher… you really need to relax. She’s handling things in her own way. Maybe you should’ve given her space like you said you wanted.”
My head jerked toward him. “What?”
“You said you needed space, Asher. You didn’t even want to see her. You said it yourself.”
I swallowed, heart thudding painfully. He was right. I had asked for space. And now it was being used against me.
Emily’s eyes glittered with something dark, manipulative. “See? He asked for space, and now he’s upset. Isn’t that… ironic?”
I stepped forward, fists clenched, but the frustration, the fear, the helplessness clawed at me in ways I couldn’t contain. “You’re manipulating us.” I said, voice low, dangerous. “You’ve been manipulating me from the start, Emily.”
She tilted h
