—Hazel—
I could barely look at him.
Not without hearing her words in my head.
"If something happens to me, I want someone to know I tried."
I felt sick.
I still hadn't put the journal back. It was buried under a pile of folded towels in my closet. Dumb, I know. But I couldn't leave it in the library. Not after reading that. Not after everything it said.
Ace was in the kitchen when I came down. Shirt rolled up at the sleeves, wristwatch glinting as he poured a cup of coffee. Calm. Composed. Like he hadn't built a damn prison and called it a home.
He looked over his shoulder when he heard me.
"You're up early," he said. "Didn't sleep?"
No. Not after reading how the last girl cried behind the walls.
"Yeah," I said lightly, pulling my robe tighter. "Just… had to pee."
He raised an eyebrow but didn't press. Just turned back to the machine and grabbed a second mug.
"You want some?" he asked.
I nodded, walking over slowly, heart pounding.
Just act normal.
