Chapter 35

• “Cole, please, just listen to me,” Funmi’s voice trembled as she stood in front of me, her hands clasped tightly in front of her like she was bracing for an impact. Her expression was soft, but there was a desperation in her eyes that I couldn’t ignore.
• I could feel the weight of her gaze, the silent plea hanging between us. But the words, the words I had to say—could I really say them?
• I ran my hand through my hair, trying to shake off the fog clouding my mind. I had always been a man of certainty, a man who knew where his loyalty lay. But now, with Funmi standing before me, and my family pulling at me from every direction, I felt like I was drowning.