Third Person POV
Val’s pacing was relentless, the soft carpet muffling her hurried steps as she moved back and forth across Maria’s room. Her mind raced with a torrent of thoughts, each one worse than the last. She chewed on the inside of her cheek, the faint metallic tang of blood grounding her in reality. The guilt in her chest was suffocating, but it was nothing compared to the fear curling in her stomach like a venomous snake.
She had done what Steve asked—she’d lied to Maria and her mother, manipulated their kindness to get a safe place to stay. But the words had tasted bitter on her tongue. She’d sold her soul for survival, and now she felt like she was drowning in the consequences.
Her gaze darted to the door as if expecting Maria or one of the twins to burst in and confront her.
