"Lucas, none of this adds up," she said, feeling her stomach tighten. "How could it be Owen?"
"I know it's confusing, Lyra, but please just listen until I'm finished, okay?"
Lucas kept his voice steady, trying to calm her before she could interrupt. He needed to explain everything clearly, without leaving anything out.
"The following day, the guy Owen had fought was waiting for him," Lucas said, his voice tightening.
"He brought his whole gang with him. They cornered Owen and beat him so badly he slipped into a coma. Six months, Lyra. He was unconscious for six months."
Lyra's breath hitched, but Lucas pressed on.
"And while all that was happening… you bumped into me by accident, thinking I was Owen."
He let out a hollow laugh, full of guilt. "You chased after me; you courted the wrong person."
Lucas paused, shaking his head.
