“You did.”
“That’s not protection!” My voice cracked. “I let everyone think I killed her!”
“You kept a promise to someone who was dying.”
The words hit me so hard I physically staggered backward.
“No,” I whispered again. “Don’t say things like that.”
“Why?”
“Because if you make this sound noble, then what was the point of everything I lost?”
The silence afterward hurt.
Ace’s voice lowered when he spoke again.
“Tessa… you didn’t kill anyone.”
A sob tore loose from my chest before I could stop it.
“No.”
“You didn’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do.”
“How?” I demanded desperately. “How can you possibly know that?”
“Because the evidence says you weren’t driving.” He stepped closer again carefully. “Because Cathy’s blood alcohol level was higher. Because the crash photos line up.”
My head shook harder with every word.
Because if he was right—
then everything changed.
Everything.
“I can’t,” I whispered.
My knees buckled suddenly beneath me.
The floor rushed upward—
but strong arms caught me before I hit it.
I stiffened instantly, trying to pull away on instinct alone.
Ace only tightened his hold enough to steady me.
“I’ve got you.”
The words broke something open inside me.
“No,” I whispered against his chest. “You don’t…”
