Mabel’s POV"Are you feeling sorry for Nelle or for Tina?" Zane’s voice brushed my ear, so close I jumped in my chair.I turned, startled. He had slipped behind me without a sound."Both," I admitted.He spun my chair to face him and crouched until our eyes lined up. His hand stayed on the armrest, steady, like he was pinning me there."Don’t feel sorry for them," he said, voice low but sharp. "Nelle refuses to let go of a throne that only exists in her head. That’s her problem. And Tina? If she had reined Nelle in sooner, they wouldn’t be dealing with this now."I frowned. "Tina only wanted the best for her."He huffed. "We all do what we think is best. Doesn’t mean we get to skip the consequences."His words landed heavy. I thought about all the choices he had made, with no parents guiding him, no one above him to take the fall. Every call rested on his shoulders. He had Vivian, Tyler, and Tina, yes, but at the end of the day he bore the weight alone. The thought made my chest ache.
Last Updated : 2025-10-06 Read more