Chapter 21. A Friend

Adeline’s POV

Of course, Theodore had always been my crush.

Rosa was the only person who had ever known.

She had been there through every stolen glance, every tickle in my tummy whenever I saw him, every moment I spent hopelessly wishing for something that was never mine to have.

But that was before.

Before everything.

“It was just a feeling then,” I murmured, staring at the something else entirely.

Rosa gave me a skeptical look.

“But you’re his wife now,” she pointed out. “I thought Iris was his mate?”

The words stung.

“Can we talk about something else, please?” I said.

I didn’t want to go down this road.

Not now.

I turned on my heels and walked to the fridge, needing something—anything—to keep my hands busy. I poured two glasses of water, using those extra seconds to compose myself before walking back to Rosa.

She was watching me too closely, too intently.

I hated that because she knew