"Karen, if something's going on, just tell us. You know we won't judge you."
Karen clenched her fists. She wanted to tell them — to unburden herself. But how could she?
How could she admit that she'd fallen for someone else, someone dangerous, someone who wasn't supposed to touch her but did anyway?
"I…" she began, but her throat tightened.
"Karen?" Lea whispered.
Chelsea rose from the bed and walked closer, her tone gentler now.
"Sis. We're not your enemies. But if you keep lying, it's only going to hurt more when the truth comes out. Just be honest with us. Who is he?"
The silence in the room felt heavy — thick with expectation and fear.
Karen's lips trembled as she tried to form words, but nothing came out.
"…"
She looked away, her reflection in the mirror showing a woman torn between guilt and longing.
The truth burned inside her, desperate to escape, yet she couldn't bring herself to say it.
