Chapter 29

Aria

The cold, hard floor presses against my cheek as I slowly drift into consciousness. For a moment, I'm disoriented, my mind struggling to piece together the fragments of my memory. But as the fog of sleep clears, the harsh reality of my situation comes crashing down on me like a tidal wave.

I'm in prison. Locked away like a common criminal, awaiting trial for a crime I didn't commit.

I blink, trying to adjust to the dim light filtering through the small, barred window. As my eyes focus, I see Leah sitting beside me, her face etched with concern and fear. She looks like she hasn't slept in days, and I feel a pang of guilt knowing that I'm the reason for her suffering.

"Aria, we need to talk," she says, her voice gentle but firm as she places a comforting hand on my shoulder.

I look away, tears welling up in my eyes as the weight of my guilt threatens to crush me. I know that my actions have not only put my own life in danger but also the lives of my best friend and my unborn ch