Chapter 47

Sienna’s POV

The silence in Zoe’s room was heavy, thicker than usual. It had been days since the restaurant, since Leo’s heartfelt words, since Daniel and I finally, truly connected. Daniel was being amazing, giving us space, but his quiet support was a constant strength. This moment, though, was just for Zoe and me. The lingering tension between us felt like a physical barrier.

I sat on the edge of her bed, carefully, the way you approach a skittish animal. Zoe was at her desk, sketching furiously in her notebook, her back to me. She hadn’t looked at me properly since Evan’s truth started to unravel. Her anger, her betrayal, it was a raw wound. I knew it. And I knew this had to be different. No yelling, no pleading, just honest, quiet truth.

“Zoe,” I began, my voice soft, calm, “Can we talk, just for a little bit. Please.”

Her pencil scratched harder on the paper, a deliberate sound of resistance. She didn’t reply.

I took a slow breath. “I know