CHAPTER 98

Serena’s POV

I sat on the hard, cold bench in my cell, my mind swirling with thoughts of regret and self-loathing.

How did I end up here? I never wanted any of this to happen. I should have told Elijah everything from the start, but fear had paralyzed me.

“I shouldn't be here,” I muttered to myself, gripping the edge of the bench tightly. “I'm not the one who planned this.”

But here I was, locked up and alone, my only company the echoes of my own thoughts bouncing off the walls. I knew Elijah blamed me for what had happened to Sophia and Reese. He refused to even look at me, let alone speak to me. And I couldn't blame him. I had failed him so badly.

“Why didn't I tell him everything?” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. “Why did I let fear control me?”

The answer was simple. The mastermind behind it all had threatened Elijah's life if I said anything. I couldn't risk that, no matter how much I wanted to. The thought of Elijah getting hurt because of me was unbearable.

“I love you, E