Chapter 139

• [NADIA]
• His words hit me like a wave, washing away the guilt and fear I’ve been carrying. I never thought he would see it that way—that he would understand. The knot in my chest loosens, and for a moment, I feel like I can breathe again.
• Suddenly, I’m not sure if there’s anything more left to say. And he probably gets that too, because before I know it, he’s holding my hand, entwining our fingers, and leading me to his desk. He makes me sit on it, trapping me between his strong arms.